At $33,342/yr net price, College for Creative Studies graduates earn $44,860/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,860/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $33,342 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $133,368 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,860/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,860/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 12.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 69.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $29,648/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $27,176/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $32,467/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $33,869/yr |
| $110,001+ | $37,605/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $43,798 | $26,000 |
| Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry. | Bachelor | $25,194 | $30,620 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor | $25,194 | $27,000 |
| Graphic Communications. | Bachelor | $23,207 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $19,592 |
The Risk Factor
69.6% of students at College for Creative Studies graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 30% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
College for Creative Studies costs $33,342 a year and returns median earnings of $44,860 a decade out. That's a weak return for a private art school where you graduate owing $26,000. You pay near private-college prices for outcomes that mostly land in low-wage creative fields.
Design and Applied Arts is the one bachelor's program that pays off, at $43,798 a year. That tracks with Detroit's auto industry, where industrial and transportation design feed straight into the car companies. If you come here for design work tied to the automotive pipeline, the math holds.
Everything else is a financial problem. Crafts, Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Graphic Communications, and Fine and Studio Arts all pay under $26,000 a year , barely above what you'd earn without the degree, and Fine and Studio Arts sits at $19,592. Crafts graduates carry the heaviest debt at $30,620 while earning the least. You'd be paying design-school tuition to enter fields that don't cover the loans.
The risk here is program choice. Two students pay the same $33,342 and walk out with wildly different earning power depending on major. A 69.6% graduation rate also means roughly one in three of you leaves without a degree but with the debt.
The net price tiers barely move with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you still pay $29,648 , only about $8,000 less than families over $110,000. There's little price break for lower-income families here, so this school is a stretch unless you land in design.
Come here if you're set on automotive or industrial design in Detroit. If you want fine arts, film, or crafts, the earnings don't justify the cost, and you should look at cheaper options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is College for Creative Studies worth the cost?
College for Creative Studies has mixed ROI with graduates earning $44,860 annually against a $33,342 yearly cost. Design programs show better returns at $43,798, but fine arts graduates average only $19,592, making debt repayment difficult.
What is the job outlook for College for Creative Studies graduates?
CCS graduates face challenging job prospects with median earnings of $44,860 and a 69.6% graduation rate. Design majors have better earning potential, while fine arts and crafts programs lead to significantly lower starting salaries.
How much student debt do College for Creative Studies students graduate with?
CCS graduates carry a median debt of $26,000. With lower-paying programs like fine arts averaging $19,592 annually, many graduates struggle with debt-to-income ratios that exceed recommended levels.
Which programs at College for Creative Studies have the best return on investment?
Design and Applied Arts offers the strongest ROI at CCS with graduates earning $43,798 annually. Fine arts, crafts, and film programs show poor returns with salaries ranging from $19,592 to $25,194.