Design and Applied Arts at Newschool of Architecture and Design

The small sample size here—under 30 graduates—makes it hard to draw firm conclusions, but the available data suggests this Design and Applied Arts program sits solidly in the middle of the pack. First-year earnings of $37,132 beat both the national median ($33,563) and California median ($31,764) for design programs, landing in the 60th percentile statewide. That's respectable, though nowhere near what UCLA or USC graduates earn—their design grads make 50-75% more out of the gate.

The debt picture is more concerning. At $39,251, graduates carry about $15,000 more debt than typical California design students and nearly $13,000 above the national median. With debt slightly exceeding first-year earnings (1.06 ratio), new graduates face meaningful monthly payments on a modest salary. That 5th percentile debt ranking means 95% of design programs nationally leave students with less debt—a red flag at a school with 100% admission and nearly half its students on Pell grants.

For families weighing this option: if your student has strong enough credentials to gain admission elsewhere, comparable or better-performing public programs likely offer a cleaner financial picture. The open admission suggests NewSchool accepts students who might struggle to enter more selective programs, which could justify the premium—but understand you're paying significantly more for that access. Request placement data beyond these 30 graduates before committing.