At $34,709/yr net price, The Modern College of Design graduates earn $42,187/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,187/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $34,709 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $138,836 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,187/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,187/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 17 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 61.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $30,563/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $35,945/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $36,539/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $38,527/yr |
| $110,001+ | $33,911/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts. | Associate | $31,821 | $5,500 |
The Risk Factor
61.9% of students at The Modern College of Design graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 38% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
The Modern College of Design gives you a mixed-to-weak financial return, and the risk is concentrated in the price, not the debt. You'll pay $34,709 a year in net price against median earnings of $42,187 ten years out. That earnings figure is barely above the sticker price of a single year here, which is the core problem: this is a design-focused for-profit school charging near-full-freight tuition for a field where mid-career pay tends to stay modest.
The one bright spot is debt. Median debt at graduation is $12,000, which is low and unusual for a for-profit school. If you graduate, you likely won't be buried. The 61.9% graduation rate is the catch: roughly four in ten of you won't finish, and leaving without the credential means you paid design-school prices for no degree.
The income tiers here should worry you. Families earning under $30,000 pay $30,563, but families in the $48,000-$110,000 range pay more than $36,000 and up to $38,527. Middle-income families get the worst deal at this school, paying the highest net price of any group. If your household lands in that band, you're subsidizing the largest share yourself.
This school fits you if you're set on design, can finish in the program's timeframe, and can keep borrowing near that $12,000 median. Look elsewhere if you're a middle-income family, unsure you'll graduate, or expecting the degree to clear its own cost quickly. On these numbers, the earnings don't justify $34,709 a year unless the specific design program you want isn't offered cheaper nearby.
I kept program-level claims out because the data context lists no bachelor-level program salaries to ground them.Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Modern College of Design worth the cost?
The Modern College of Design has poor return on investment with graduates earning just $42,187 ten years after starting. With a net price of $34,709 per year, most students will struggle to justify the cost given the low earnings potential.
What is the job outlook for The Modern College of Design graduates?
Design and Applied Arts graduates from The Modern College of Design earn a median of $31,821, which is below the national average for college graduates. The field typically offers limited salary growth and high competition for well-paying positions.
How much debt do The Modern College of Design students graduate with?
The median debt load is relatively low at $12,000, but even this amount becomes problematic when graduates earn only $31,821 in their field. The low debt reflects the school's poor graduation rate of 62%.
Does The Modern College of Design offer good financial aid?
With a 99% acceptance rate and net price of $34,709, The Modern College of Design appears to offer limited meaningful financial aid. Students should expect to pay close to full tuition at a school that produces below-average earning graduates.