Ringling College of Art and 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
$221,920
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$4,650/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
47.7 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-58%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Ringling College of Art and Design's in-state tuition is $55,480. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $28,920. Five years after graduation, the median earnings increase to $39,650, and after ten years, the median earnings are $43,325. The median debt for graduates is $27,000.
Given the median debt of $27,000 and the one-year post-graduation earnings of $28,920, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.93. With a starting salary of $28,920, it would take over 1.8 years to pay off the median debt of $27,000, assuming no interest.
The college has a 67.4% acceptance rate, a 73.7% graduation rate, and an 84.3% retention rate. 38.4% of students receive financial aid.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$55,480
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$39,650
Graduation Rate
74%
Receive Financial Aid
38%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts | $43,045 | -27% |
| Graphic Communications | $69,773 | 213% |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $17,575 | N/A |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $0 | N/A |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $0 | N/A |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
-58%
20yr ROI
-24%
20yr ROI
-37%
20yr ROI
-30%
20yr ROI
-50%
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.