At $28,037/yr net price, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design graduates earn $42,958/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,958/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $28,037 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $112,148 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,958/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,958/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 12.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 36.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $31,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $23,444/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $26,409/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $28,579/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $31,693/yr |
| $110,001+ | $32,376/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Software and Media Applications. | Bachelor | $35,274 | $31,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $27,474 | $31,750 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $25,194 |
The Risk Factor
36.5% of students at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
The math at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design does not work for most people. You pay $28,037 a year and carry a median debt of $31,000, but ten years after enrolling you earn about $42,958. That debt roughly matches a single year of what you make, and it sits against a degree from a for-profit art school where fewer than four in ten students graduate and only 58% come back after their first year.
Program earnings make the problem clearer. Computer Software and Media Applications pays the most at $35,274, and even that trails what many bachelor's holders earn nationally. Design and Applied Arts comes in at $27,474, and Fine and Studio Arts at $25,194 , both below the median debt you take on to get there. If you enroll for Fine and Studio Arts, you are borrowing more than your expected annual salary for a field with thin pay in the Denver market.
The specific risk here is dropping out with debt and no degree. With a 36.5% graduation rate, most of you will not finish, and federal loans do not disappear because you left. You pay art-school prices for coin-flip odds of a credential.
Net price barely moves with income. Under $30k in family income still costs you $23,444, and over $110k costs $32,376 , a gap of about $9,000 across the entire income range. Low-income families get little relief here.
This school fits you only if you are set on one of these creative fields, have a clear plan to finish, and can limit borrowing. If you want a reliable financial return, a public college with a design program will cost you far less for stronger completion odds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design worth the cost?
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design has questionable value given its $28,037 annual cost and low $42,958 median earnings after 10 years. The 36.5% graduation rate and $31,000 median debt create additional financial risk for students who don't complete their programs.
What are the highest paying programs at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design?
Computer Software and Media Applications graduates earn the most at $35,274 annually, followed by Design and Applied Arts at $27,474. Fine and Studio Arts graduates earn just $25,194, making it the lowest-paying major at the school.
How much debt do Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design graduates have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $31,000, which is concerning given the low earning potential across most programs. With starting salaries often below $30,000 in art fields, loan payments can consume a large portion of graduate income.
What is the graduation rate at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design?
Only 36.5% of students graduate from Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. This means nearly two-thirds of students leave without a degree but may still carry student loan debt from their time at the school.