Art Center College of Design
Art Center College of Design — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Art Center College of Design at a Glance
The ArtCenter College of Design is a private art college in Pasadena, California.
1930
96 years old
$152M
$151.6 million (2024)
1,737
1,554 undergrad · 183 grad
400
165 acres
Is Art Center College of Design Worth It?
At a value score of 30/100, Art Center College of Design is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $71,958 — 34% above average — while paying $48,661/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.7-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 81% graduation rate means roughly 19% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Art Center College of Design has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Art Center College of Design compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #117 of 139 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | University of Detroit Mercy | 79 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| #3 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #4 | Holy Family University | 72 | $13,143 | $62,235 |
| #5 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #6 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #117 | Art Center College of Design | 30 | $48,661 | $71,958 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Art Center College of Design's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 11 in CA.
Best Programs at Art Center College of Design
The highest-earning program at Art Center College of Design is Design and Applied Arts at $49,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Film/Video and Photographic Arts at $20,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Design and Applied Arts graduate from Art Center College of Design earns $49,900, while a Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduate earns $20,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Design and Applied Arts graduates carry $31,000 in median debt vs. $31,000 for Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $48,661/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts | $49,900 | $49,900 | $31,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $20,200 | $20,200 | $31,000 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Pasadena, CA
- Student Body
- 2,017 students
- Admission Rate
- 75%
- Graduation Rate
- 81%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $48,661
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $71,958
- Median Student Debt
- $31,000