Art Academy of Cincinnati
Art Academy of Cincinnati — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Art Academy of Cincinnati at a Glance
The Art Academy of Cincinnati is a private college of art and design in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. It was founded as the McMicken School of Design in 1869, and was a department of the University of Cincinnati, and later in 1887, became the Art Academy of Cincinnati, the museum school of the Cincinnati Art Museum. The college is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, and a member of the Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE).
Is Art Academy of Cincinnati Worth It?
At a value score of 11/100, Art Academy of Cincinnati is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $34,368 — 36% below average — while paying $34,253/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 4-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 42% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 79% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Art Academy of Cincinnati has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Art Academy of Cincinnati compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #21 of 26 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Humphreys University | 100 | $5,524 | $39,248 |
| #2 | Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary | 100 | $3,822 | $36,442 |
| #3 | Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef D'spinka | 52 | $5,646 | $36,545 |
| #4 | University of Fort Lauderdale | 48 | $19,965 | $38,062 |
| #5 | Hobe Sound Bible College | 45 | $12,074 | $39,863 |
| #6 | Clear Creek Baptist Bible College | 40 | $10,949 | $41,623 |
| #21 | Art Academy of Cincinnati | 11 | $34,253 | $34,368 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Art Academy of Cincinnati's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Art Academy of Cincinnati
The highest-earning program at Art Academy of Cincinnati is Design and Applied Arts at $24,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $21,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Design and Applied Arts graduate from Art Academy of Cincinnati earns $24,600, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $21,100. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Design and Applied Arts graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $34,253/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts | $24,600 | $24,600 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $21,100 | $21,100 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Cincinnati, OH
- Student Body
- 205 students
- Admission Rate
- 34%
- Graduation Rate
- 42%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $34,253
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $34,368
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000