At $55,390/yr net price, Ringling College of Art and Design graduates earn $43,325/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $9,325/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $55,390 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $221,560 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $43,325/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$9,325/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 23.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 70.8% |
| 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 | $50,332/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $50,588/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $55,349/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $57,165/yr |
| $110,001+ | $60,033/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Communications. | Bachelor | $48,725 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $26,121 | $27,000 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management. | Bachelor | $20,140 | |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor | $19,592 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $14,627 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
70.8% of students at Ringling College of Art and Design graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 29% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Ringling College asks you to pay a net price that tops $55,000 a year while the median graduate earns just over $43,000 a decade out. That gap is the core problem here: you spend four years paying near the top of the private-college range and land in a salary bracket that takes a long time to justify the cost. The $27,000 in median debt is manageable on its own, but the price tag before loans is what stings.
Program earnings tell you which doors actually pay. Graphic Communications is the clear winner, with graduates near $48,700 and by far the strongest floor of any major listed. Everything else drops off a cliff. Design and Applied Arts sits around $26,100, and Fine and Studio Arts brings in roughly $14,600 ten years out. Film/Video and Arts Management land in the same low-$20,000s zone. If you enroll in anything but graphic communications, the numbers say you will struggle to earn back what you paid.
The specific risk is that this is an art-and-design school where most of the programs on record produce sub-$27,000 earnings, meaning your debt could equal or exceed your annual income. A 70.8% grad rate and 84% retention mean most of you finish, so the money is spent whether or not the salary follows.
Net price barely moves by income. Families under $30,000 still pay over $50,000, and there is no meaningful discount as you climb the brackets. That flat pricing hits lower-income families hardest.
Ringling makes financial sense if you are committed to graphic communications or can pay the cost without heavy borrowing. If you want fine arts, film, or arts management and need loans to attend, look for a cheaper path to the same field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ringling College of Art and Design worth the high tuition cost?
With a net price of $55,390 per year and median earnings of $43,325 ten years after graduation, Ringling's ROI is poor for most students. Only graphic communications graduates earn enough to justify the cost, while other programs lead to significant financial loss.
What are the best paying majors at Ringling College of Art and Design?
Graphic communications is the only program with decent earning potential at $48,725 annually. Design and applied arts graduates earn $26,121, while fine arts majors average just $14,627 - far below what's needed to repay educational costs.
How much debt do Ringling College of Art and Design graduates typically have?
The median debt is $27,000, which is manageable compared to many art schools. However, most graduates earn too little to comfortably repay even this amount, with starting salaries often below $30,000 in many programs.
Does Ringling College of Art and Design have good job placement after graduation?
While Ringling has industry connections and a 70.8% graduation rate, the low earnings data suggests many graduates struggle to find well-paying work in their fields. Art and entertainment careers often start with unpaid internships and low wages.