At $43,369/yr net price, Moore College of Art and Design graduates earn $37,839/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,839/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $43,369 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $173,476 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,839/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,839/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 45.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 63.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $39,174/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $36,789/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $47,139/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $46,646/yr |
| $110,001+ | $46,274/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $31,314 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $24,267 | |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor | $24,035 |
The Risk Factor
63.4% of students at Moore College of Art and Design graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 37% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Moore College of Art and Design delivers weak financial returns that fail to justify its $43,369 annual cost. Your median earnings of $37,839 ten years after graduation create a challenging debt-to-income ratio that makes loan repayment difficult.
Even the highest-paying program at Moore, Design and Applied Arts, produces median earnings of just $31,314 with typical debt of $27,000. Fine Arts and Film graduates face even steeper financial challenges, earning around $24,000 annually while carrying similar debt loads. These low earnings reflect both the nature of creative careers and Philadelphia's limited high-paying opportunities in the arts sector.
You face specific risks at Moore beyond typical art school challenges. The 63% graduation rate means over one-third of students leave without a degree but often with debt. The school's specialized focus on women's art education, while valuable culturally, limits your networking reach in male-dominated creative industries like film and game design.
Moore makes financial sense only if you have substantial family support or qualify for significant need-based aid. With less than half of students receiving financial aid, merit scholarships appear limited. If you need loans to attend, consider lower-cost alternatives like community college art programs or state schools with strong art departments.
Choose Moore only if you can graduate debt-free or with minimal borrowing. The school serves students whose families can afford the investment in specialized women's art education, but it represents poor value for anyone relying heavily on student loans to finance their degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Moore College of Art and Design worth the cost?
With graduates earning $37,839 ten years after enrollment and a net price of $43,369 annually, Moore College has challenging return on investment numbers. The median debt of $26,000 is reasonable, but low starting salaries in creative fields make this investment risky for many students.
What are the best paying programs at Moore College of Art and Design?
Design and Applied Arts graduates earn the highest median salary at $31,314, followed by Fine and Studio Arts at $24,267. Film, Video and Photographic Arts graduates earn $24,035, which is low considering the specialized training and equipment costs.
How much debt do Moore College of Art and Design graduates have?
The median debt for Moore College graduates is $26,000, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, with art and design graduates typically earning under $32,000 starting out, even this debt level can strain budgets.
Does Moore College of Art and Design offer good financial aid?
The net price of $43,369 suggests limited financial aid effectiveness, as this represents what families actually pay after grants and scholarships. For an art school with modest graduate earnings, this price point puts many students at financial risk.