Best Design and Applied Arts Degrees in California by ROI
Colleges in California ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in California
7
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$386,294
Across California programs
Average Annual Cost
$37,334
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Interior Designers Institute | -$309,008 | $28,157 | N/A | $23,814 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Grad rate: 71.0% |
-$315,448 | $32,523 | $53,393 | $14,165 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Academy of Art University
Grad rate: 42.4% |
-$321,069 | $32,923 | $47,195 | $33,437 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Los Angeles Film School
Grad rate: 44.0% |
-$344,740 | $28,695 | $39,320 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Grad rate: 25.3% |
-$352,672 | $26,218 | $18,516 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Platt College-Ontario
Grad rate: 59.7% |
-$529,712 | $18,751 | $32,366 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Platt College-Los Angeles
Grad rate: 64.8% |
-$531,412 | $18,751 | $33,216 | N/A | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Design and Applied Arts Degrees by State
Browse Design and Applied Arts programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.