Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 63.1%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 63.0%
- Retention Rate
- 83.5%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $47,867
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $27,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 61.3%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $286/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $27,000 |
| Graphic Communications. | Bachelor | $21,234 | $27,000 |
Outcomes Overview
LCAD graduates face a modest debt burden with median earnings of $47,867 after ten years and typical debt of $27,000. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 sits below the concerning 1.0 threshold that signals financial stress. Monthly loan payments of $286 consume about 7.2% of gross monthly income, which falls within manageable territory for creative professionals. The 87.6% employment rate reflects strong job placement in Southern California's robust entertainment, gaming, and design industries. Many alumni work at major studios like Disney, Blizzard, and Netflix, or launch freelance careers in illustration and graphic design. Given the specialized training and regional industry connections, LCAD offers an average return on investment for art school graduates.