Moore College of Art and Design
Moore College of Art and Design — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Moore College of Art and Design Worth It?
At a value score of 13/100, Moore College of Art and Design is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $37,839 — 30% below average — while paying $43,086/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 4.6-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 60% graduation rate means roughly 40% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With median debt of $26,000 representing 69% 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 Moore College of Art and Design has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Moore College of Art and Design compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #39 of 54 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 | Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef D'spinka | 52 | $5,646 | $36,545 |
| #5 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #6 | University of Fort Lauderdale | 48 | $19,965 | $38,062 |
| #39 | Moore College of Art and Design | 13 | $43,086 | $37,839 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Moore College of Art and Design's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in PA.
Best Programs at Moore College of Art and Design
The highest-earning program at Moore College of Art and Design is Design and Applied Arts at $25,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $21,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Design and Applied Arts graduate from Moore College of Art and Design earns $25,900, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $21,600. 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 Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $43,086/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 | $25,900 | $25,900 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $21,600 | $21,600 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Philadelphia, PA
- Student Body
- 535 students
- Admission Rate
- 56%
- Graduation Rate
- 60%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $43,086
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $37,839
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000