Fine and Studio Arts at Academy of Art University
Master's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How Academy of Art University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Academy of Art University graduates earn $51k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all fine and studio arts masters programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Fine and Studio Arts masters's programs at peer institutions in California (32 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy of Art University | $50,953 | $37,322 | — | — |
| California State University-Fullerton | $59,860 | — | — | — |
| Azusa Pacific University | $49,560 | — | — | — |
| University of California-Davis | $42,782 | — | — | — |
| California College of the Arts | $24,495 | $47,094 | — | — |
| University of California-Irvine | $23,267 | — | — | — |
| National Median | $32,208 | — | — | — |
Other Fine and Studio Arts Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Fullerton Fullerton | $7,073 | $59,860 | — |
| Azusa Pacific University Azusa | $43,600 | $49,560 | — |
| University of California-Davis Davis | $15,247 | $42,782 | — |
| California College of the Arts San Francisco | $57,946 | $24,495 | — |
| University of California-Irvine Irvine | $14,237 | $23,267 | — |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Academy of Art University, approximately 42% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.