Academy of Art University vs Aurora University

Academy of Art University and Aurora University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Cost: Aurora University offers a lower average net price at $18,992, which is $20,786 less than Academy of Art University ($39,778). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Aurora University earn a median salary of $58,709 ten years after enrollment, which is $19,701 more than Academy of Art University graduates ($39,008).

Graduation: Aurora University leads with a 59.0% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 67.2% vs 77.8%.

Campus Size: Academy of Art University is the larger campus with 4,131 total students, while Aurora University has 4,021.

Bottom Line: Aurora University stands out as both more affordable and producing higher-earning graduates — making it the stronger value proposition overall.