Design and Applied Arts at Columbus College of Art & Design

Columbus College of Art & Design graduates earn about $28,000 in their first year—roughly $6,000 below the national median for design programs. While that lands the school in just the 25th percentile nationally, there's an important counterpoint: among Ohio's 42 design programs, CCAD performs better than average, reaching the 60th percentile statewide. This makes sense when you see that Ohio's median for design graduates is actually lower than CCAD's outcomes, at $26,464. Still, the state's top programs (Cincinnati, Miami, Ohio State) deliver nearly double these first-year earnings.

The debt picture is relatively manageable. At $27,000, it's right in line with both national and state medians for this field, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio just under 1.0. More encouraging is the 30% earnings growth over four years, pushing median pay to $36,454—though that still trails the national average. The school serves a substantial population of Pell grant recipients (40%), and the strong four-year earnings growth suggests graduates find their footing over time.

For families prioritizing in-state tuition and access to a specialized art school, CCAD represents a middle-ground option in Ohio's design landscape. Just understand you're likely starting at an entry-level salary that will require either additional income sources or careful budgeting during those first years after graduation.