Best Design and Applied Arts Degrees in Pennsylvania by ROI
Colleges in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
17
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$192,597
Across Pennsylvania programs
Average Annual Cost
$52,572
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Carnegie Mellon University
Grad rate: 92.0% |
+$926,589 | $106,086 | $80,514 | $24,500 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Temple University
Grad rate: 76.3% |
-$40,497 | $49,749 | $39,799 | $26,875 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
York College of Pennsylvania
Grad rate: 62.2% |
-$64,144 | $45,954 | $35,806 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Drexel University
Grad rate: 77.6% |
-$92,438 | $54,234 | $75,167 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus
Grad rate: 52.2% |
-$111,830 | $43,512 | $26,405 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Grad rate: 55.3% |
-$159,314 | $41,632 | $28,876 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Mercyhurst University
Grad rate: 61.2% |
-$199,722 | $45,426 | $57,948 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Susquehanna University
Grad rate: 74.9% |
-$203,262 | $48,172 | $72,563 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Thomas Jefferson University
Grad rate: 67.9% |
-$242,910 | $44,099 | $62,110 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Marywood University
Grad rate: 73.8% |
-$248,250 | $41,969 | $52,673 | $27,362 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Albright College
Grad rate: 45.6% |
-$257,294 | $39,834 | $44,381 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Arcadia University
Grad rate: 63.8% |
-$273,560 | $40,570 | $61,240 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Robert Morris University
Grad rate: 65.1% |
-$291,970 | $39,439 | $51,075 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Grad rate: 44.8% |
-$318,476 | $30,950 | $24,369 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Moore College of Art and Design
Grad rate: 62.6% |
-$464,662 | $34,306 | $68,583 | $27,000 | 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.