Pasadena, CA · Private University
Is Art Center College of Design Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$71,958
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$51,640
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$51,640
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$206,560
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.39x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
82.6%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$31,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$50,209
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Art Center College of Design graduates earn $26,958 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Art Center College of Design ranked by graduate earnings
246 graduates
25 graduates
55 graduates
31 graduates
33 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Art Center College of Design
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Art Center College of Design, the gap between the highest-earning major (Design and Applied Arts: $71,547) and the lowest (Film/Video and Photographic Arts: $32,235) is $39,312/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied ArtsBest ROI | $71,547 | 1.4x |
| Graphic Communications(1yr data) | $67,010 | 1.3x |
| Engineering-Related Fields(1yr data) | $66,860 | 1.3x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians(1yr data) | $59,384 | 1.1x |
| Film/Video and Photographic ArtsLowest | $32,235 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Art Center College of Design delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $71,958 10 years after starting, $26,958 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.6 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.