California Institute 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
$226,896
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$-6,982/yr
below high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
N/A years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-162%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, the median earnings for California Institute of the Arts alumni are $22,659. Five years after graduation, median earnings increase to $28,018, and ten years after, they reach $41,198. The annual tuition cost is $56,724. The median debt for graduates is $25,000, and 34% of students receive financial aid.
Given the median debt of $25,000 and the one-year post-graduation earnings of $22,659, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 1.1. This indicates that the median debt is slightly higher than the first year's earnings.
Based on the tuition cost and the earnings data, it would take more than ten years for a graduate to earn the equivalent of the tuition cost.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$56,724
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$28,018
Graduation Rate
64%
Receive Financial Aid
34%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Music | $29,938 | N/A |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $30,129 | N/A |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $41,552 | -42% |
| Graphic Communications | $0 | N/A |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $37,547 | -78% |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $0 | N/A |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $42,175 | -37% |
| Dance | $36,920 | -83% |
| Design and Applied Arts | $0 | N/A |
| Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis | $0 | N/A |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $0 | N/A |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
0%
20yr ROI
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0%
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0%
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.