Columbus College of Art & Design ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$158,600
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$-4,410/yr
below high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
N/A years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-156%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The annual tuition at Columbus College of Art & Design is $39,650. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $26,716. Five years after graduation, the median earnings are $30,590, and ten years after graduation, the median earnings are $40,664. The median debt for students is $27,000, and 68.6% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year post-graduation earnings, is approximately 1.01. This suggests that the median debt is roughly equivalent to one year's earnings.
To calculate the break-even point, the tuition cost is divided by the difference between the ten-year earnings and the one-year earnings. This results in a break-even timeline of approximately 1.5 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$39,650
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$30,590
Graduation Rate
61%
Receive Financial Aid
69%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts | $36,454 | -82% |
| Graphic Communications | $30,491 | N/A |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $34,559 | N/A |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $34,412 | N/A |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $43,765 | 11% |
| Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
0%
20yr ROI
0%
20yr ROI
0%
20yr ROI
0%
20yr ROI
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.