At $39,060/yr net price, Cornish College of the Arts graduates earn $33,696/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $39,060 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $156,240 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $33,696/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-304/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 52.0% |
| 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 | $28,155/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $30,948/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $36,693/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $40,853/yr |
| $110,001+ | $44,405/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $24,679 | $27,000 |
| Dance. | Bachelor | $23,340 | $27,000 |
| Music. | Bachelor | $23,340 | $26,500 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Bachelor | $22,554 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
52.0% of students at Cornish 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
The financial return at Cornish College of the Arts is weak. You pay about $39,000 a year net, and ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns under $34,000. That gap is the whole story: your annual net price is higher than what a typical alum makes in a year.
No program here escapes the problem. Design and Applied Arts is the best-paying bachelor's degree, and it still tops out around $34,000, barely above the school-wide median. From there it drops. Fine and Studio Arts, Dance, Music, and Drama all land in the low-to-mid $20,000s. Every one of these degrees carries the same $27,000 debt load, so you take on identical debt whether you study design or theater, but design at least gives you a chance at $10,000 more per year.
The specific risk is that Cornish is an arts-only school in a high-cost city, and arts careers pay thin, irregular income. You borrow $27,000 to enter fields where a $23,000 salary is normal. With a 52% graduation rate and only 68% of students returning after year one, there's also a real chance you pay for time here without finishing.
The net price tiers do offer real relief at the bottom. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $28,000 a year instead of the $44,000 charged to families over $110,000. That's a meaningful cut, but even the discounted price still outruns the earnings these degrees produce.
Cornish makes financial sense only if you have outside funding, low or no debt, and a clear plan for how arts training pays off for you personally. If you need a degree that services $27,000 in loans on a predictable salary, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cornish College of the Arts worth the cost?
With a net price of $39,060 per year and median earnings of $33,696 ten years after graduation, Cornish graduates typically earn less than what they pay annually for school. The 52% graduation rate and $27,000 median debt add to concerns about return on investment.
Which programs at Cornish College of the Arts have the best job prospects?
Design and Applied Arts graduates earn the most at $33,993 annually, while other programs like Drama/Theatre Arts, Music, and Dance all show median earnings around $22,000-24,000. Even the highest-earning program barely covers the annual cost of attendance.
How much debt do Cornish College of the Arts students typically graduate with?
The median debt for Cornish graduates is $27,000, which is manageable compared to many private arts schools. However, with low starting salaries across most programs, even this moderate debt level can be challenging to repay.
What are the graduation rates at Cornish College of the Arts?
Cornish has a 52% graduation rate, meaning nearly half of students who enroll don't complete their degree. This significantly impacts the school's value proposition, as students may accumulate debt without earning credentials.