Location: Portland, OR•In-State Tuition: $47,126•Admission Rate: 69%
Median Earnings (1yr)
$13,895
5th percentile
40th percentile in Oregon
Est. Median Debt
$27,000
Est. from national median (13 programs)
Sample: 16 graduates Limited data

Where Pacific Northwest College of Art Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all visual and performing arts bachelors's programs nationally

Pacific Northwest College of Art (estimated ±10%)Other visual and performing arts programs

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

Earnings Distribution

How Pacific Northwest College of Art graduates compare to all programs nationally

Pacific Northwest College of Art earns $14k — 5th percentile among visual and performing arts bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Oregon

Visual and Performing Arts bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Oregon (7 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Pacific Northwest College of ArtPortland$47,126$13,895—$27,000*—
Southern Oregon UniversityAshland$12,093$17,228—$24,500*1.42
National Median—$25,286—$26,083*1.03
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with visual and performing arts graduates

Art Directors

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.

$111,040/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

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Graphic Designers

Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.

$61,300/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Craft Artists

Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft.

$56,260/yrJobs growth:

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators

Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.

$56,260/yrJobs growth:

Artists and Related Workers, All Other

All artists and related workers not listed separately.

$56,260/yrJobs growth:

Photographers

Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.

$42,520/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
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 Pacific Northwest College of Art, approximately 44% 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 16 graduates with reported earnings and 16 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.