At $31,763/yr net price, Delaware College of Art and Design graduates earn $35,036/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,036/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $31,763 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $127,052 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,036/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,036/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 122.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 41.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $30,453/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,877/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $32,016/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $32,463/yr |
| $110,001+ | $38,624/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts. | Associate | $15,922 | |
| Graphic Communications. | Associate | $12,221 |
The Risk Factor
41.0% of students at Delaware College of Art and Design 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 Delaware College of Art and Design is weak, and the numbers say so plainly. You pay a net price above $31,000 a year for a two-year associate degree, and ten years after enrolling the median graduate earns about $35,000. That earnings figure sits below what many people make without any college at all, and it comes after you've cleared the full cost of attendance.
The program-level data makes this worse. The two credentials listed here, Design and Applied Arts and Graphic Communications, report associate-level earnings of roughly $16,000 and $12,000. Neither art nor graphic design path shows a payoff that justifies the price tag. If you're weighing this school for a graphic design or applied arts career, the reported outcomes give you no financial reason to enroll over cheaper alternatives.
The 41% graduation rate is its own risk. Nearly six in ten students don't finish, and if you leave without the degree you still owe on whatever you borrowed. The one bright spot is debt: median debt sits at $12,000, low enough that you won't be buried, but that's only because the program is short, not because it pays.
The net price tiers don't work the way you'd hope. Families earning under $30,000 pay almost as much as families earning over $110,000, and the middle-income brackets actually pay more than the lowest. Low family income buys you very little discount here.
This school is a fit only if you want a specific art or design credential and can pay most of the cost without loans, ideally with outside support. If you need the degree to produce a salary that repays the investment, the earnings data points you elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Delaware College of Art and Design worth the cost?
With graduates earning $35,036 ten years after enrollment and a net price of $31,763 per year, the financial return is challenging. The low 41% graduation rate adds significant risk to your investment.
What is the job market like for Delaware College of Art and Design graduates?
Design and Applied Arts graduates earn around $15,922 annually, while Graphic Communications graduates earn $12,221. These starting salaries make it difficult to justify the cost of attendance.
How much debt do Delaware College of Art and Design students graduate with?
The median debt is relatively low at $12,000, which is better than many art schools. However, the low earning potential still makes debt repayment challenging for most graduates.
What are the graduation rates at Delaware College of Art and Design?
Only 41% of students graduate, meaning most who enroll don't finish their degree. This dramatically increases the financial risk since you could end up with debt but no credential.