Columbus College of Art & Design
Columbus College of Art & Design — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Columbus College of Art & Design Worth It?
At a value score of 20/100, Columbus College of Art & Design is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $40,664 — 24% below average — while paying $29,439/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.9-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 59% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 66% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Columbus College of Art & Design has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Columbus College of Art & Design compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in OH
Ranked #65 of 111 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 | Turtle Mountain College | 100 | $3,428 | $32,079 |
| #2 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #3 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #4 | Wesleyan College | 43 | $12,724 | $44,317 |
| #5 | Boricua College | 43 | $15,245 | $35,348 |
| #6 | Huntington University | 40 | $19,310 | $46,672 |
| #65 | Columbus College of Art & Design | 20 | $29,439 | $40,664 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Columbus College of Art & Design's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 7 in OH.
Best Programs at Columbus College of Art & Design
The highest-earning program at Columbus College of Art & Design is Fine and Studio Arts at $25,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Graphic Communications at $19,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Fine and Studio Arts graduate from Columbus College of Art & Design earns $25,800, while a Graphic Communications graduate earns $19,600. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Fine and Studio Arts graduates carry $30,875 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Graphic Communications.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $29,439/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine and Studio Arts | $25,800 | $25,800 | $30,875 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $24,200 | $24,200 | $27,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $23,300 | $23,300 | $27,000 |
| Graphic Communications | $19,600 | $19,600 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Columbus, OH
- Student Body
- 882 students
- Admission Rate
- 68%
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $29,439
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $40,664
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000