Design and Applied Arts at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design graduates face a tough financial start, earning just $29,829 in their first year—below both the Colorado median ($31,104) and the national median ($33,563) for design programs. More concerning is the debt load: at $46,544, it's 73% higher than what students at Metropolitan State University of Denver typically borrow, and nearly double the national median for art and design programs. This puts RMCAD in the 5th percentile nationally for debt—meaning 95% of similar programs saddle students with less debt.

The promising news is the earnings trajectory. By year four, median earnings jump to $42,808, a 44% increase that puts graduates in striking distance of what Metropolitan State grads earn right out of school. This pattern suggests RMCAD graduates may be entering the workforce at junior levels but advancing relatively quickly as they build portfolios and client relationships. Nearly half the student body receives Pell grants, indicating this program serves many first-generation or lower-income students who may need those early career years to establish themselves.

The bottom line: This program requires patience and financial runway. If your student can manage the initial debt burden—likely through aggressive repayment or income-driven plans during those lean early years—the growth trajectory offers hope. But families should seriously consider whether Metropolitan State, with comparable four-year outcomes and far less debt, might be the wiser investment.