Laguna College of Art and Design
Laguna College of Art and Design — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Laguna College of Art and Design Worth It?
At a value score of 16/100, Laguna College of Art and Design is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $47,867 — 11% below average — while paying $42,505/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 3.6-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 57% 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 a 94% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 56% 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 Laguna College of Art and Design has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Laguna College of Art and Design compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #94 of 113 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 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #3 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #4 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #5 | Waynesburg University | 50 | $18,235 | $58,537 |
| #6 | Bay Path University | 49 | $14,271 | $55,383 |
| #94 | Laguna College of Art and Design | 16 | $42,505 | $47,867 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Laguna College of Art and Design's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in CA.
Best Programs at Laguna College of Art and Design
The highest-earning program at Laguna College of Art and Design is Design and Applied Arts at $25,700/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Design and Applied Arts graduate from Laguna College of Art and Design earns $25,700, while a Design and Applied Arts graduate earns $25,700. 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 Design and Applied Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $42,505/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 | $25,700 | $25,700 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Laguna Beach, CA
- Student Body
- 746 students
- Admission Rate
- 94%
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $42,505
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,867
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000