At $38,041/yr net price, Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn $34,368/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $368/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $38,041 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $152,164 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,368/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$368/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 413.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 44.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $41,956/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $43,783/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $45,726/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $32,677/yr |
| $110,001+ | $32,576/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $24,201 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $20,140 | $25,000 |
The Risk Factor
44.4% of students at Art Academy of Cincinnati graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Art Academy of Cincinnati is a financially risky bet. You pay $38,041 a year in net price, and the median graduate earns $34,368 a decade out. That gap is the whole story: the cost of one year nearly matches a full year of post-graduation income. You carry $27,000 in debt on earnings that don't leave much room to service it.
The two programs here both undersell that already-low median. Fine and Studio Arts graduates earn $24,201, and Design and Applied Arts graduates earn $20,140 , both bachelor's degrees, both below what the school's overall median suggests. Design and Applied Arts pays the least while still loading you with $25,000 in debt. Neither program clears the wage you'd need to comfortably repay what you borrowed.
The retention and graduation numbers add to the risk. Nearly 4 in 10 who start don't return for a second year, and fewer than half finish. If you borrow, start, and leave, you hold the debt without the degree.
The net price tiers are backwards from what you'd hope. If your family earns under $75,000, you pay more , over $41,000 and rising to $45,726 in the $48-75k band , than families earning above $110,000, who pay around $32,600. Lower-income families here shoulder the heaviest cost against the weakest earnings.
This school fits you if art is the specific career you want, you can pay most of the cost without heavy loans, and you accept that the paycheck comes second to the training. If you need the degree to pay for itself, or you'd be borrowing the full net price on a lower family income, look elsewhere. The math does not work in your favor here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Art Academy of Cincinnati worth the cost compared to other art schools?
With graduates earning $34,368 ten years after enrollment and a net price of $38,041 per year, Art Academy of Cincinnati offers poor return on investment. Most graduates will struggle to pay back loans with typical fine arts salaries averaging $24,201.
What is the graduation rate at Art Academy of Cincinnati and does it affect ROI?
Art Academy of Cincinnati has a 44% graduation rate, meaning over half of students don't finish their degree. Students who don't graduate still carry debt but lack the credential needed for higher-paying creative jobs.
How much debt do Art Academy of Cincinnati students typically graduate with?
The median debt for Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates is $27,000. Given that fine arts graduates earn around $24,201 annually, this debt load represents more than one full year of typical starting salary.
Which programs at Art Academy of Cincinnati have the best job prospects?
Design and Applied Arts graduates earn $20,140 while Fine and Studio Arts graduates earn $24,201. Both programs offer limited earning potential relative to the school's annual cost of over $38,000.