Computer Software and Media Applications at Academy of Art University

Academy of Art University's software and media program hits the California median for earnings but carries nearly double the typical debt load for this degree. That $34,000 debt burden ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of similar programs saddle graduates with less debt—while first-year earnings of $30,273 barely edge out the national median of $29,081.

The math here is straightforward: graduates owe more than their entire first year's salary, creating a financial squeeze right out of the gate. For an associate's degree in San Francisco—one of the country's most expensive cities—$30,273 doesn't stretch far, even as tech wages in the area typically run much higher. The program performs solidly against other California software and media programs (60th percentile), but that comparison offers limited comfort when the debt-to-earnings ratio sits at 1.12.

This program might work for students with substantial financial support who can minimize borrowing, but the typical graduate faces years of aggressive loan repayment on entry-level wages. Parents should calculate the total cost carefully and compare against community college alternatives or four-year programs that might justify higher debt with significantly better earnings outcomes.