Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 61.8%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 63.8%
- Retention Rate
- 82.5%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $33,301
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $27,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 51.9%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $286/mo
Outcomes Overview
Art school graduates face steep financial realities at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. With median debt of $27,000 and median earnings of $33,301 ten years out, graduates carry a debt-to-earnings ratio of 81%. Monthly loan payments of $286 consume about 10% of typical graduate income. The employment rate hits 92.5%, reflecting strong job placement in creative industries like graphic design, illustration, and digital media. However, early career earnings start low at $27,499 in the first year after graduation. Many graduates work as freelancers or in entry-level creative positions where income growth takes time. Given the modest earnings trajectory typical in creative fields, this represents a weak return on investment.