Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Worth It?
At a value score of 11/100, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $42,958 — 20% below average — while paying $32,363/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 3-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 34% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 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 $31,000 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 Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design compares to peer for-profit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #24 of 27 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 | Strayer University-Florida | 62 | $16,064 | $40,092 |
| #2 | Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology | 39 | $21,276 | $47,792 |
| #3 | Eastwick College-Ramsey | 34 | $27,074 | $51,725 |
| #4 | Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology | 24 | $29,776 | $49,944 |
| #5 | Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe | 24 | $31,681 | $34,657 |
| #6 | Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences | 23 | $28,039 | $49,841 |
| #24 | Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design | 11 | $32,363 | $42,958 |
Peer group: for-profit colleges within ±60% of Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
The highest-earning program at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is Design and Applied Arts at $27,600/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Design and Applied Arts graduate from Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design earns $27,600, while a Design and Applied Arts graduate earns $27,600. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Design and Applied Arts graduates carry $32,000 in median debt vs. $32,000 for Design and Applied Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $32,363/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 | $27,600 | $27,600 | $32,000 |
Similar Colleges in CO
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- for-profit
- Location
- Lakewood, CO
- Student Body
- 2,050 students
- Graduation Rate
- 34%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $32,363
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $42,958
- Median Student Debt
- $31,000