Design and Applied Arts at Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Associate's Degree
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Design and Applied Arts associates's programs at peer institutions in California (86 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Trade Technical College | $26,478* | $28,056 | $13,625* | — |
| Interior Designers Institute | $52,768* | $46,273 | $23,814* | 0.45 |
| Academy of Art University | $26,478* | $37,278 | $33,437* | 1.26 |
| FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising | $24,393* | $36,890 | $14,165* | 0.58 |
| National Median | $27,846* | — | $14,454* | 0.52 |
Other Design and Applied Arts Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Designers Institute Newport Beach | $20,250 | $52,768 | $23,814 |
| Academy of Art University San Francisco | $28,024 | $26,478 | $33,437 |
| FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Los Angeles | $34,325 | $24,393 | $14,165 |
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 Trade Technical College, approximately 31% 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 3 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.