Academy of Art University
The Academy of Art University focuses on hands-on training in various art and design fields, including computer software and media applications, film/video, photography, and industrial design. The school emphasizes an industry-based curriculum with faculty who are working professionals, utilizing industry-standard facilities and equipment. They also offer career services, including a job board with employers seeking their graduates, and flexible online and hybrid learning options.
Programs Analyzed
Avg Grad Earnings
Avg TradeSchoolOutlook Score
Tuition
All Programs at Academy of Art University
3 trade programs at Academy of Art University, ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score (combines earnings, ROI, AI resilience, and job market size). Use the “compare” links to see how this school’s programs stack up against others nationally.
| Program | Score | Earnings | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Software Development
Computer Software and Media Applications Compare nationwide → |
49 | $30,273/yr | $31,211 |
|
Design
Design and Applied Arts Compare nationwide → Compare in CA → |
37 | $26,478/yr | $31,937 |
|
Film & Photography
Film/Video and Photographic Arts Compare nationwide → Compare in CA → |
36 | $30,178/yr | $32,187 |
Reading the table: Score combines earnings, ROI, AI resilience, and job market size on a 0–100 scale. Earnings = median first-year salary from College Scorecard. Debt = median federal debt at graduation (blank where Scorecard suppresses small samples). 10yr ROI = projected 10-year earnings ÷ in-state tuition. AI Risk reflects task-level AI exposure across mapped occupations. Job Market = annual openings nationwide for connected occupations.
More Trade Schools in California
Top-scored trade schools elsewhere in California, ranked by average TradeSchoolOutlook Score across their programs.
Apprenticeship Pathways in California
Earn-while-you-learn alternatives in California. Registered apprenticeships skip tuition and pay you during training, though training periods are typically longer.
Trade Schools Near San Francisco
Other cities in California with multiple trade schools, sorted by distance from San Francisco.
About This Data
TradeSchoolOutlook analyzes 3 trade and vocational programs at Academy of Art University using earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and employment projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024–2034).
The TradeSchoolOutlook Score (0–100) combines graduate earnings, return on investment, AI resilience, and job market size. AI Risk reflects task-level exposure for the occupations each program feeds into. Job Market shows the size of the national hiring pool. Programs without published debt figures had small reporting samples that the College Scorecard suppresses for privacy.