At $36,443/yr net price, Maine College of Art & Design graduates earn $40,778/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,778/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $36,443 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $145,772 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,778/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,778/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 21.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 48.7% |
| 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 | $29,849/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $31,197/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $34,323/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $37,820/yr |
| $110,001+ | $38,490/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
48.7% of students at Maine College of Art & 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
Maine College of Art & Design charges a net price near $36,000 a year, and ten years out the median graduate earns about $40,800. That gap is the whole story here: you pay full private-college prices for earnings that trail what many state-school graduates make. This is a weak financial return, and the program-level numbers are worse than the school-wide median suggests.
Look at the three bachelor's programs with reported earnings. Design and Applied Arts graduates make around $24,800, Film/Video and Photographic Arts about $23,500, and Fine and Studio Arts roughly $21,700. None of these clears $25,000. You would carry the same $27,000 in median debt whether you study design or studio art, but your income to pay it back sits in the low twenties. That debt-to-income ratio is the central risk of enrolling here.
The second risk is completion. Fewer than half of students graduate, and about one in five first-year students does not return. If you borrow, start, and leave without the degree, you hold the debt with none of the credential.
The net price barely moves by income. A family under $30,000 pays about $29,800. a family over $110,000 pays about $38,500. Lower-income families get only modest relief, so if you come from a household earning under $48,000, you are still looking at roughly $30,000 a year against art-degree earnings.
This school fits you if art and design is the specific field you want and money is not your first measure of success. If you need your degree to reliably cover $27,000 in loans, the earnings data says look elsewhere or find a lower-cost path to the same fields.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maine College of Art & Design worth the cost?
With graduates earning $40,778 annually but paying $36,443 per year, the financial return is questionable. The low 49% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't complete their degree, making this a risky investment.
What programs at Maine College of Art & Design have the best ROI?
Teacher Education graduates earn the most at $36,992, while most art programs pay around $21,000-24,000 annually. Given the high cost of attendance, even the highest-paying programs struggle to justify the expense.
How much debt do Maine College of Art & Design graduates have?
The median debt is $27,000, which is relatively manageable compared to the school's high costs. However, with low starting salaries averaging $40,778, loan payments will still strain most graduates' budgets.
Does Maine College of Art & Design provide good financial aid?
The net price of $36,443 suggests limited financial aid relative to costs. Students should expect to pay close to full price at this school.