Kansas City Art Institute
Kansas City Art Institute — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Kansas City Art Institute Worth It?
At a value score of 21/100, Kansas City Art Institute is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $37,032 — 31% below average — while paying $27,650/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 3-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 62% graduation rate means roughly 38% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 73% 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 Kansas City Art Institute has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Kansas City Art Institute compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #22 of 57 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 | Hallmark University | 54 | $12,513 | $40,183 |
| #4 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #5 | Wesleyan College | 43 | $12,724 | $44,317 |
| #6 | Boricua College | 43 | $15,245 | $35,348 |
| #22 | Kansas City Art Institute | 21 | $27,650 | $37,032 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Kansas City Art Institute's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in MO.
Best Programs at Kansas City Art Institute
The highest-earning program at Kansas City Art Institute is Design and Applied Arts at $26,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Graphic Communications at $16,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Design and Applied Arts graduate from Kansas City Art Institute earns $26,800, while a Graphic Communications graduate earns $16,600. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Design and Applied Arts graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Graphic Communications.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $27,650/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 | $26,800 | $26,800 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $21,200 | $21,200 | $27,000 |
| Graphic Communications | $16,600 | $16,600 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in MO
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Kansas City, MO
- Student Body
- 812 students
- Admission Rate
- 55%
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $27,650
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $37,032
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000