Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 70.4%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 67.5%
- Retention Rate
- 86.4%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $42,509
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $27,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 59.6%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $286/mo
Outcomes Overview
Cleveland Institute of Art graduates enter a competitive creative economy with a median debt of $27,000 and starting salaries around $22,132. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.2 is reasonable for art school graduates, though monthly loan payments of $286 consume about 15% of typical starting income. Earnings grow to $42,509 after ten years, reflecting career progression in design studios, museums, and Cleveland's growing arts sector. The 94.3% employment rate suggests strong job placement, likely helped by the school's industry connections and Cleveland's affordable cost of living for emerging artists. Notable alumni like Viktor Schreckengost and Claes Oldenberg demonstrate the school's legacy in industrial design and fine arts. Despite modest starting salaries typical of creative fields, this represents an average return on investment for specialized art education.