Pacific Northwest College of Art
Pacific Northwest College of Art — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Pacific Northwest College of Art Worth It?
At a value score of 9/100, Pacific Northwest College of Art is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $34,883 — 35% below average — while paying $35,785/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 4.1-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 36% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 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 $25,000 representing 72% 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 Pacific Northwest College of Art has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Pacific Northwest College of Art compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #39 of 46 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 | Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary | 100 | $3,822 | $36,442 |
| #2 | Turtle Mountain College | 100 | $3,428 | $32,079 |
| #3 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #4 | Appalachian Bible College | 59 | $11,579 | $37,467 |
| #5 | Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef D'spinka | 52 | $5,646 | $36,545 |
| #6 | Oakland City University | 48 | $15,210 | $43,283 |
| #39 | Pacific Northwest College of Art | 9 | $35,785 | $34,883 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Pacific Northwest College of Art's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Pacific Northwest College of Art
The highest-earning program at Pacific Northwest College of Art is Design and Applied Arts at $23,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $19,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Design and Applied Arts graduate from Pacific Northwest College of Art earns $23,500, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $19,400. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Design and Applied Arts graduates carry $29,500 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $35,785/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 | $23,500 | $23,500 | $29,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $19,400 | $19,400 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in OR
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Portland, OR
- Student Body
- 420 students
- Admission Rate
- 75%
- Graduation Rate
- 36%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $35,785
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $34,883
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000