At $42,354/yr net price, Laguna College of Art and Design graduates earn $47,867/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,867/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $42,354 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $169,416 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,867/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,867/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 12.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 63.0% |
| 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 | $36,856/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $39,821/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $39,513/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $44,804/yr |
| $110,001+ | $45,712/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
63.0% of students at Laguna College of Art and Design graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 37% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Laguna College of Art and Design is a financial gamble. You pay $42,354 a year in net price, and the median graduate earns $47,867 a decade later. That gap alone should give you pause. When your yearly cost lands close to your future annual salary, the math works against you.
The two programs with reported earnings make this worse, not better. Design and Applied Arts graduates pull in under $30,000 a year, and Graphic Communications grads sit near $21,000. Both carry the same $27,000 in median debt. Those are bachelor's-level salaries that fall below what many jobs pay without any degree at all. Southern California's cost of living makes a $21,000-$30,000 salary especially hard to live on near Laguna Beach.
The retention rate of 83% and the 63% graduation rate tell you most people who start do come back, and most finish. So the risk here is less about dropping out and more about what your degree earns afterward. You can complete the program and still struggle to cover the debt.
Net price barely moves with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you still pay nearly $37,000 a year. Higher earners pay closer to $46,000. There is no steep discount for lower-income families, so the sticker shock hits everyone.
This school fits you if art is the only path you want and you have family resources to absorb the cost without heavy borrowing. If you need your degree to pay back its price, look elsewhere. The reported program earnings do not support taking on $27,000 in debt at a $42,000 annual net price. Go in with clear eyes about what these art and design careers pay in this region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Laguna College of Art and Design worth the high tuition cost?
With a net price of $42,354 per year and median graduate earnings of only $47,867, Laguna College of Art and Design offers poor return on investment. Most graduates will struggle to pay back loans on these relatively low salaries in expensive California.
What are the job prospects after graduating from Laguna College of Art and Design?
Graduates earn a median of $47,867 ten years after graduation, with Design and Applied Arts majors earning $29,685 and Graphic Communications majors earning just $21,234. These salaries are low relative to the school's high costs and California's cost of living.
How much student debt do Laguna College of Art and Design graduates typically have?
The median debt load is $27,000, which is relatively manageable compared to the school's high sticker price. However, with low graduate earnings averaging under $48,000, even this debt level may be challenging to repay.
Does Laguna College of Art and Design have good graduation rates?
The school has a 63% graduation rate, meaning over one-third of students never finish their degree. Combined with the high costs and low earnings potential, this adds significant financial risk for students who don't complete their programs.