Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 48.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 48.7%
- Retention Rate
- 77.9%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $40,778
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $27,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 8:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 66.2%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $286/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $36,992 | |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $24,808 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Master | $24,035 | $83,358 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor | $23,456 | |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $21,736 | $27,000 |
Outcomes Overview
Maine College of Art & Design graduates face a challenging financial reality after college. With median debt of $27,000 and median earnings of $25,999 one year after graduation, new graduates carry debt equal to their entire first-year salary. Monthly loan payments of $286 eat up 13.2% of a typical graduate's income, well above the recommended 10%. Earnings do improve over time, reaching $40,778 after ten years, but that's still below the national average for college graduates. The 93.2% employment rate shows graduates find work in creative fields like graphic design, illustration, and fine arts, but these industries typically pay less than other professional careers. This represents a weak return on investment for most students.