Location: Pasadena, CA•In-State Tuition: $51,640•Admission Rate: 75%
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$45,387
Est. from CA median (5 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,603
Est. from national median (20 programs)

Analysis

Computer software programs in California vary wildly—from USC's six-figure outcomes to programs producing $32K first-year earnings. Art Center's estimated figures, drawn from comparable programs statewide, place it in the middle at $45,387, which matches California's median but trails considerably behind the state's powerhouse options.

The estimated debt load of $25,603 actually looks quite favorable, both against the state median of $35,358 and the national benchmark of $27,000. That puts the debt-to-earnings ratio at a manageable 0.56, meaning graduates from similar programs could theoretically pay off their loans with about half a year's earnings. For a creative-focused institution like Art Center, this suggests reasonable borrowing relative to what peer programs typically produce.

The wild card here is whether Art Center's design pedigree and industry connections can push graduates above that $45K estimate. The school's portfolio-driven approach and California location could create opportunities the data doesn't capture, but you're betting on outcomes this specific program hasn't yet demonstrated in reportable numbers. If your child can access the stronger programs—particularly USC if finances allow or Academy of Art as a comparable alternative—those offer more certainty. Otherwise, Art Center's reasonable estimated debt makes it a defensible choice, provided your family understands you're working with peer program projections rather than this school's proven track record.

Where Art Center College of Design Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer software and media applications bachelors's programs nationally

Art Center College of Design (estimated ±10%)Other computer software and media applications programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Computer Software and Media Applications bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (14 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Art Center College of DesignPasadena$51,640$45,387*—$25,603*—
University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles$68,237$103,071*$134,326$23,500*0.23
University of Phoenix-CaliforniaOntario—$83,476*$57,111$44,225*0.53
Academy of Art UniversitySan Francisco$28,024$45,387*$72,792$39,715*0.88
University of Silicon ValleySan Jose$22,480$37,693*—$31,000*0.82
DeVry University-CaliforniaOntario$17,488$32,159*$38,887$48,849*1.52
National Median—$38,234*—$27,000*0.71
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with computer software and media applications graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

$140,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Software Developers

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Administrators

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

$99,800/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web Developers

Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Art Center College of Design, approximately 25% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 5 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.