Cost & ROI · 2026
Is Columbus College of Art & Design worth it?
Pay $29,439/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $40,664 ten years out — about 1.4× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: D.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
Columbus College of Art & Design vs Ohio avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Ohio college and the typical US college.
| Metric | Columbus College of Art & Design | Ohio avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▼ $29,439 | $19,055 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $40,664 | $50,599 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $27,000 | $21,844 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 55.6% | 47.3% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▼ 67.7% | 72.8% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $217,772 over four years. Most students get $25,004/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $27,000 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 66% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're below the recommended ceiling.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median Columbus College of Art & Design grad earns about -$173,440 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about Columbus College of Art & Design
The average student at Columbus College of Art & Design pays $29,439 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $54,443 published sticker price. That is above the OH average net price of $19,055.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $40,664 — below the OH median of $50,599. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $27,000, roughly $293 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a moderate load at about 66% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Ohio colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of Columbus College of Art & Design.
Saint Clairsville, OH · Public Ohio University-Eastern Campus A+ 
Lancaster, OH · Public Ohio University-Lancaster Campus A+ 
Zanesville, OH · Public Ohio University-Zanesville Campus A+ Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at Columbus College of Art & Design?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $29,439 per year. That's $25,004/yr in financial aid against the $54,443 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $117,756.
How much do Columbus College of Art & Design graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Columbus College of Art & Design graduates earn a median of $40,664 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 1.4× the annual net cost.
How much debt do Columbus College of Art & Design graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $27,000 — about $293/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 69.9% of students take federal loans.
Is Columbus College of Art & Design worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns Columbus College of Art & Design a value grade of D — top 94% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $29,439/yr, earn $40,664/yr ten years out, ROI score of 3.45. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at Columbus College of Art & Design?
39.2% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 69.9% take federal student loans. On average, students get $25,004 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at Columbus College of Art & Design?
In-state tuition is $40,825 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $40,825 per year — a difference of $0/yr or $0 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at Columbus College of Art & Design?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $24,204. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $33,114. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →