Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $19,501/yr fall 42% below the $33,862 national median for Design and Applied Arts. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
An earnings multiple of 2.4x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.
AI risk is moderate — 38% task exposure — and the 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $26,000 debt load exceeds a year of the $19,501 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.
At #290 out of 290 programs, Pacific Northwest College of Art's financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth from $19,501 to $36,201 over five years (86% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.