Design and Applied Arts at Los Angeles Film School
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
The Los Angeles Film School's design program saddles graduates with nearly double their first-year earnings in debt—$51,250 against median earnings of just $26,583. That's among the highest debt loads nationally for this program (95th percentile) while earnings rank in the bottom quarter both in California and nationwide. When other California design programs like USC and UCLA place graduates at $57,000-$65,000, and even mid-tier options produce $46,000-$51,000, this program's outcomes stand out for the wrong reasons.
The concerning part isn't just the weak starting earnings—it's that you're paying elite-level prices for bottom-tier results. The school serves a predominantly low-income population (65% receive Pell grants), yet graduates leave with debt loads twice the national median for design programs. Even accounting for Hollywood's cost of living, these numbers don't add up to a sound investment.
One important caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes may vary more than usual. But unless your child has specific industry connections or a clear path to higher-earning creative work, the debt burden here is simply too steep relative to what graduates actually earn. Consider California public universities or community college transfer pathways that lead to UC design programs—the outcomes justify the investment far better.
Where Los Angeles Film School Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all design and applied arts bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Los Angeles Film School graduates compare to all programs nationally
Los Angeles Film School graduates earn $27k, placing them in the 19th percentile of all design and applied arts bachelors programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Design and Applied Arts bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (55 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Film School | $26,583 | — | $51,250 | 1.93 |
| University of Southern California | $64,846 | $56,391 | $18,262 | 0.28 |
| University of California-Los Angeles | $57,615 | $68,882 | $20,000 | 0.35 |
| Interior Designers Institute | $51,188 | — | $28,655 | 0.56 |
| Art Center College of Design | $47,053 | $71,547 | $31,050 | 0.66 |
| Chapman University | $46,519 | $69,235 | $23,000 | 0.49 |
| National Median | $33,563 | — | $26,880 | 0.80 |
Other Design and Applied Arts Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California Los Angeles | $68,237 | $64,846 | $18,262 |
| University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles | $13,747 | $57,615 | $20,000 |
| Interior Designers Institute Newport Beach | $20,250 | $51,188 | $28,655 |
| Art Center College of Design Pasadena | $51,640 | $47,053 | $31,050 |
| Chapman University Orange | $62,784 | $46,519 | $23,000 |
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 Los Angeles Film School, approximately 65% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 24 graduates with reported earnings and 31 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.