At $40,846/yr net price, Pacific Northwest College of Art graduates earn $34,883/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $883/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $40,846 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $163,384 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,883/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$883/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 185 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $35,104/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $34,711/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $41,713/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $45,643/yr |
| $110,001+ | $45,596/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Master | $32,029 | $90,387 |
| Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis. | Master | $27,765 | |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $27,494 | $26,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Master | $25,658 | |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $19,835 | $25,000 |
The Risk Factor
45.7% of students at Pacific Northwest College of Art 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
The financial math at Pacific Northwest College of Art does not work in your favor. You pay roughly $41,000 a year in net price, yet median earnings ten years out land below $35,000. That is less than the yearly cost of attendance, and it puts graduates near or below what many earn without a four-year art degree.
Both bachelor's programs on record pay poorly. Design and Applied Arts graduates earn around $27,500 while carrying $26,000 in debt. Fine and Studio Arts is worse, with earnings under $20,000 against $25,000 in debt. Design at least clears the Fine Arts figure by more than $7,000, so if you enroll here, the applied side gives you better odds of covering loan payments. Neither program produces income that comfortably services the debt you take on.
The specific risk is dropout exposure. Only 46% of students graduate, and just 63% return after their first year. If you borrow toward this degree and leave before finishing, you hold debt with no credential and an art job market in Portland that already pays these degrees poorly.
The net price tiers should give lower-income families pause. Families earning under $48,000 pay around $35,000, which is not far below what families over $110,000 pay near $45,000. The discount for low income here is modest, so if your family earns under $30,000, you still face about $35,000 a year for outcomes below $35,000.
This school fits you only if an art credential from Portland matters to you personally and you can attend with little or no borrowing. If you need your degree to produce income that repays loans, the earnings data says look elsewhere, and choose the Design track over Fine Arts if you do come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pacific Northwest College of Art worth the high tuition cost?
Pacific Northwest College of Art graduates earn a median of $34,883 ten years after graduation, while the annual net price is $40,846. This means graduates typically earn less per year than one year of college costs, making the financial return questionable for most students.
What are the job prospects after graduating from Pacific Northwest College of Art?
Only 45.7% of students graduate from Pacific Northwest College of Art, which is well below the national average. Even graduates who complete their degrees face limited earning potential, with most art programs leading to starting salaries in the $19,000-$32,000 range.
How much student debt do Pacific Northwest College of Art graduates typically have?
Pacific Northwest College of Art graduates have a median debt of $25,000. While this debt level is manageable compared to some schools, the low post-graduation earnings make repayment challenging for many art school graduates.
Which programs at Pacific Northwest College of Art offer the best financial returns?
Fine and Studio Arts programs show the widest salary range at Pacific Northwest College of Art, with some graduates earning $32,029 but others only $19,835. Design and Applied Arts programs tend to offer more consistent but modest returns around $25,000-$27,000.