Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design: $23,720 Tuition

$23,720Tuition

1,878Students

37%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$42,958Earnings

Private forprofit4-yearData: 2023-24

About Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design builds careers through intensive studio work and industry partnerships. The college serves 1,878 students in Lakewood's creative community, just outside Denver. Three-quarters of students are women, reflecting the college's strength in design fields that attract female artists. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personal attention in workshops and critiques.

Students pay an average of $28,037 after aid, which stays consistent across income levels since only 5.59% receive institutional grants. Recent graduates earn a median of $42,958 ten years out, but carry $31,000 in debt with monthly payments of $329. The 52.38% loan repayment rate suggests many struggle financially after graduation. Art careers often start slowly, with first-year graduates earning just $30,506.

The college faces retention challenges, with only 57.79% of students returning for sophomore year. Just 38.32% graduate in four years, though 84.7% find employment eventually. Nearly half the students qualify for Pell Grants, indicating significant financial need. The semester system allows for extended projects, but students should carefully weigh the debt load against uncertain creative industry earnings.

Academics & Faculty

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design specializes in studio-based creative education with a hands-on approach to art and design training. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means small classes where professors can provide individual feedback on creative projects. However, only 38% of students graduate within four years, reflecting the challenging nature of intensive studio work and the reality that many art students take longer to complete portfolios and capstone projects. The college focuses on practical skills in areas like graphic design, illustration, and game art that prepare students for creative careers. Women make up 75% of the student body, typical for art schools. The curriculum emphasizes building professional portfolios over traditional academic coursework.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Full-Time Faculty: 32.2%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 38.3%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 36.5%
Retention Rate: 57.8%
Median Earnings (10 years): $42,958
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Computer Software and Media Applications.	Bachelor	$35,274
Design and Applied Arts.	Bachelor	$27,474
Fine and Studio Arts.	Bachelor	$25,194

View all 11 programs →

Campus Life

Students at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design work in small, intensive studios with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. The campus sits in Lakewood, just 10 miles west of downtown Denver, giving art students access to galleries, museums, and creative internships in the city. Women make up 75% of the student body, creating a collaborative atmosphere in the design labs and studios that stay busy late into the evening.

Colorado's 300 days of sunshine mean students sketch outdoors year-round, though winter coats are essential when temperatures drop below freezing from December through February. About half of the 1,878 students come from out of state, drawn by programs in game design, animation, and traditional fine arts. Most students commute from off-campus housing since residential options are limited. Weekends often involve trips to Denver's art districts, First Friday gallery walks, or outdoor adventures in the nearby Rocky Mountains. The retention rate of 58% reflects the demanding studio workload, but graduates enter creative fields with a median debt of $31,000.

Setting: Suburb-Large
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1963

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Burglary	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 21°–44°F
July Avg: 59°–85°F
Annual Precipitation: 17.5"
Annual Snowfall: 58.0"

Student Demographics

Rocky Mountain College draws a predominantly female student body, with women making up three-quarters of enrollment. This reflects the school's focus on design fields that traditionally attract more women, like interior design and fashion. The student body is evenly split between Colorado residents and out-of-state students, suggesting both local recognition and regional appeal. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the college serves many first-generation and lower-income students pursuing creative careers. The diverse racial composition includes significant Hispanic and Black representation, unusual for art schools in the Mountain West.

Men: 24.6%
Women: 75.4%
White: 56.3%
Black: 11.0%
Hispanic: 14.1%
Asian: 3.6%
In-State Students: 46.9%
Pell Grant Recipients: 46.0%

Location

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design sits in Lakewood, Colorado, just 10 miles west of downtown Denver. The school draws 46.92% of its students from in-state, attracted to the Front Range location between the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains. Lakewood offers suburban living with access to Denver's cultural scene and Colorado's outdoor recreation. The area provides art students with inspiration from both urban galleries and natural landscapes. Students can reach Denver's museums and design firms within 30 minutes while enjoying hiking and skiing in nearby mountains. The location supports the college's 84.7% employment rate by connecting graduates to Colorado's growing creative industries. Students considering colleges in Colorado may also compare Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design with similar schools in the region.

Address: Lakewood, Colorado 80214

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $42,958
Median Earnings (5 years): $44,530
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $30,500
Loan Repayment Rate: 52.4%
Monthly Loan Payment: $329/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $31,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the student profile at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design?

The school enrolls 1,878 students with a strong female majority at 75.4%. The student body is 56.3% white with significant diversity including 14.1% Hispanic and 11% Black students, and roughly half come from out of state.

How much does Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $28,037 annually regardless of residency since tuition is $23,720 for everyone. About 46% of students receive financial aid, though only 5.6% get institutional grants averaging just $6,033.

What are class sizes like at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design?

The college maintains a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, allowing for personalized instruction in studio-based art programs. This small class environment supports the hands-on learning approach that defines the school's creative curriculum.

What are graduation rates at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design?

Only 36.5% of students graduate within six years, with a four-year rate of 38.3%. The 57.8% retention rate suggests many students struggle to persist, which is common at for-profit art schools where students often face financial pressures.

Where do Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design graduates work after college?

Graduates earn a median of $42,958 ten years after graduation with an 84.7% employment rate. The school focuses on practical art and design skills that prepare students for creative industries, though graduates typically carry $31,000 in debt with monthly payments of $329.

Is Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design affordable for low-income students?

Students from families earning under $30,000 still pay $23,444 annually, with costs rising to over $32,000 for higher-income families. The high net prices reflect limited institutional aid at this for-profit college, making it challenging for students from modest backgrounds.