Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $30,982 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $123,928 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 57.1% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $27,275/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $30,346/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $31,089/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $32,145/yr |
| $110,001+ | $34,980/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $16,786 |
The Risk Factor
57.1% of students at Paier College 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
Paier College's financial picture is weak, and the numbers point in one direction. You pay a net price near $31,000 a year, and the only bachelor-level program with earnings data, Design and Applied Arts, reports $16,786 a year. That salary sits below what a single year of attendance costs you, and it falls under typical earnings for someone with only a high school diploma. Four years of that net price runs past $120,000 before interest on any loans.
The design program is the one you can judge here, and it does not pay off. Earning roughly $16,800 a year makes repaying debt at this price point hard, and there is no listed bachelor-level program that earns enough to justify the cost. If design and applied arts is your goal, you can find programs elsewhere that cost far less for the same field.
The retention and graduation figures add risk on top of price. Fewer than two-thirds of students come back for a second year, and about 43 percent never graduate. If you leave without the degree, you still owe for the time you attended, and you get the debt without the credential.
The net price barely moves with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you still pay over $27,000 a year, and grant aid does not close the gap the way it does at many schools. Higher earners pay close to $35,000. At every income tier, this is an expensive year for the earnings on offer.
This school is a hard financial fit for almost anyone paying close to net price. If you care about return on your money, look at lower-cost public colleges or community college design programs before committing here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paier College worth the cost for art students?
Paier College costs $30,982 annually but graduates in Design and Applied Arts earn a median of only $16,786. This creates a challenging debt-to-income ratio that makes financial recovery difficult for most students.
What is the graduation rate at Paier College?
Only 57% of students graduate from Paier College. The low completion rate combined with high costs means many students accumulate debt without earning a degree.
Does Paier College offer good financial aid?
Even after financial aid, students pay an average net price of $30,982 per year. The school's 95% acceptance rate suggests limited merit-based aid opportunities.
What jobs do Paier College graduates get?
Most graduates work in design and applied arts fields with median earnings of $16,786. These entry-level creative positions typically offer limited salary growth potential compared to the debt burden.