Ringling College of Art and Design
Ringling College of Art and Design — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Ringling College of Art and Design Worth It?
At a value score of 13/100, Ringling College of Art and Design is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $43,325 — 19% below average — while paying $57,742/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The 71% graduation rate means roughly 29% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 62% 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 Ringling College of Art and Design has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Ringling College of Art and Design compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #123 of 128 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 | University of Evansville | 49 | $18,499 | $53,770 |
| #2 | John Brown University | 46 | $20,397 | $53,907 |
| #3 | Illinois College | 45 | $18,298 | $52,575 |
| #4 | Bob Jones University | 45 | $16,641 | $44,354 |
| #5 | Berry College | 43 | $22,320 | $53,800 |
| #6 | Beloit College | 43 | $21,526 | $53,260 |
| #123 | Ringling College of Art and Design | 13 | $57,742 | $43,325 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Ringling College of Art and Design's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in FL.
Best Programs at Ringling College of Art and Design
The highest-earning program at Ringling College of Art and Design is Graphic Communications at $44,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Film/Video and Photographic Arts at $15,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Graphic Communications graduate from Ringling College of Art and Design earns $44,400, while a Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduate earns $15,300. 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: Graphic Communications graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $57,742/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Communications | $44,400 | $44,400 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $24,000 | $24,000 | $27,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $15,300 | $15,300 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Sarasota, FL
- Student Body
- 1,662 students
- Admission Rate
- 70%
- Graduation Rate
- 71%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $57,742
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $43,325
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000