Pratt Institute-Main
Pratt Institute-Main — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Pratt Institute-Main at a Glance
Pratt Institute is a private university with its main campus in Brooklyn, New York. It has an additional campus in Manhattan and an extension campus in Utica, New York at the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute. The institute was founded in 1887 with programs primarily in engineering, architecture, and fine arts. Comprising six schools, the institute is primarily known for its programs in architecture, graphic design, interior design, industrial design, and fine arts.
Is Pratt Institute-Main Worth It?
At a value score of 19/100, Pratt Institute-Main is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $54,295 — 1% above average — while paying $52,659/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 3.9-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 73% graduation rate means roughly 27% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Pratt Institute-Main has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Pratt Institute-Main compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #61 of 70 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 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #2 | Bradley University | 54 | $22,719 | $66,852 |
| #3 | Le Moyne College | 51 | $22,277 | $62,731 |
| #4 | North Park University | 50 | $16,948 | $59,572 |
| #5 | North Central College | 48 | $21,044 | $60,123 |
| #6 | Calvin University | 48 | $22,992 | $58,375 |
| #61 | Pratt Institute-Main | 19 | $52,659 | $54,295 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Pratt Institute-Main's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 8 in NY.
Best Programs at Pratt Institute-Main
The highest-earning program at Pratt Institute-Main is Architecture at $48,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $18,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Architecture graduate from Pratt Institute-Main earns $48,100, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $18,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Architecture graduates carry $31,000 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $52,659/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | $48,100 | $48,100 | $31,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $34,900 | $34,900 | $25,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $23,400 | $23,400 | $22,893 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $21,800 | $21,800 | $25,000 |
| Graphic Communications | $21,600 | $21,600 | $25,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $18,200 | $18,200 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Brooklyn, NY
- Student Body
- 3,910 students
- Admission Rate
- 73%
- Graduation Rate
- 73%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $52,659
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,295
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000