California College of the Arts ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$231,784
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$3,308/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
70.1 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-71%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
California College of the Arts' in-state tuition is $57,946. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $26,648. Five years after graduation, the median earnings increase to $38,308, and ten years after graduation, the median earnings are $49,414. The median debt for graduates is $27,000, and 45.6% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio is not directly calculable with the provided data. However, the median debt of $27,000 is less than the one-year post-graduation earnings of $26,648. The five-year earnings of $38,308 are significantly higher than the debt.
The break-even timeline, or the time it takes for earnings to surpass the cost of tuition, is not directly calculable with the provided data. However, the tuition cost is $57,946, and the five-year earnings are $38,308. The ten-year earnings are $49,414.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$57,946
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$38,308
Graduation Rate
66%
Receive Financial Aid
46%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts | $55,004 | 73% |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $47,094 | 4% |
| Human Computer Interaction | $0 | N/A |
| Graphic Communications | $46,179 | -4% |
| Architecture | $78,642 | 277% |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $0 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $0 | N/A |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $43,465 | -27% |
| Woodworking | $0 | N/A |
| Museology/Museum Studies | $0 | N/A |
| Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry | $0 | N/A |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
-71%
20yr ROI
-48%
20yr ROI
-29%
20yr ROI
14%
20yr ROI
-49%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.