Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 79.2%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 82.6%
- Retention Rate
- 82.2%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $71,958
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $31,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 8:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 69.7%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $329/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $81,702 | $50,250 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $50,856 | $31,000 |
| Graphic Communications. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $37,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor | $20,824 | $28,750 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $20,140 | |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Master | $11,851 |
Outcomes Overview
Art Center graduates earn a median of $71,958 ten years after graduation, which puts their $31,000 median debt load at a manageable 43% debt-to-earnings ratio. Monthly loan payments of $329 eat up about 6.9% of typical graduate income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The school's 87.8% employment rate reflects strong industry connections, especially in automotive design where graduates often land at major car companies and design studios. Alumni like automotive designer Chris Bangle and filmmakers Tim Burton and Michael Bay show the career heights possible in creative industries. While tuition runs steep, the specialized training and industry networking typically lead to solid creative careers, making this a strong return on investment for serious art and design students.