At $42,168/yr net price, California College of the Arts graduates earn $49,414/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $15,414/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $42,168 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $168,672 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $49,414/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$15,414/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 10.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 58.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $32,800/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $28,423/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $42,404/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $44,139/yr |
| $110,001+ | $52,438/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts. | Master | $86,129 | |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management. | Master | $77,536 | |
| Architecture. | Master | $56,776 | |
| Architecture. | Bachelor | $50,231 | |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $39,860 | $27,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Master | $35,060 | |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Master | $34,467 | $51,870 |
| Graphic Communications. | Bachelor | $30,409 | $26,899 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $15,552 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
58.7% of students at California College of the Arts graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
California College of the Arts asks you to pay a net price near the top of the private-college range while median earnings ten years out land under $50,000. That gap is the core problem here. You borrow around $27,000 to graduate, and for most majors on this campus the salary that follows does not clear the ground an art degree usually costs.
The return depends almost entirely on your major, and the spread is wide. Architecture is the one bachelor's program that pays off, roughly $50,000, which at least matches the school's overall median. Design and Applied Arts trails at under $40,000 against that same $27,000 debt load. Graphic Communications drops to around $30,000. Fine and Studio Arts pays about $15,500 ten years out, which does not support the debt you take on to earn it. If you enroll here to study fine arts, go in knowing the numbers say the money will not come back.
The bigger risk is finishing at all. Only 57% of students return after the first year, and 59% graduate. Pay a year of net price, leave without a degree, and you carry cost with no credential to show San Francisco employers.
The net price tiers add a twist: if your family earns under $48,000, you pay roughly $28,000 to $33,000, less than higher-income families, who pay $44,000 to $52,000. That still runs above the earnings most graduates here reach.
This school fits you if you are set on architecture and can manage the cost. If you want a fine or studio arts degree, the San Francisco cost of living plus these salaries make the math hard, and a cheaper program would leave you far less exposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is California College of the Arts worth the high tuition cost?
The ROI depends heavily on your major. Design and Applied Arts graduates earn $86,129 annually, making the investment worthwhile, but other programs show weaker returns with 10-year median earnings of $49,414 against a $42,168 annual net price.
What programs at California College of the Arts have the best job prospects?
Design and Applied Arts leads with $86,129 median earnings, followed by Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management at $77,536. Architecture graduates earn around $50,000-$56,000, while some design tracks only reach $39,860.
How much student debt do California College of the Arts graduates typically have?
Median debt is $27,000, which is manageable compared to the school's high costs. However, with a 58.7% graduation rate, many students leave without degrees but still carry debt.
Does California College of the Arts provide good financial aid?
The $42,168 net price suggests limited aid effectiveness given the school's high sticker price. Students should carefully evaluate aid packages since the low graduation rate indicates many struggle to complete their programs.