Compare 293 Illustration. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $43,659. Top programs: $126,932+.
Illustration programs produce graduates earning between $61,703 and $126,932—a $65K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 293 ranked programs nationally, outcomes vary dramatically based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Carnegie Mellon University's Illustration program leads with graduates earning $126,932, nearly triple the $43,659 average across all programs. But the story extends beyond prestige—San Jose State University ($82,682) and Northeastern University ($81,078) round out the top three, proving that program-level factors drive outcomes more than school brand.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Carnegie Mellon graduates borrow $21,750 and face just a 2.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. San Jose State delivers similar affordability with a 3.4% burden, proving that top illustration programs can combine strong outcomes with manageable debt.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | $126,932 | 37 | $21,750 | Excellent | $37,130 | Good |
| #2 | $82,682 | 153 | $15,000 | Excellent | $20,820 | Good | |
| #3 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $81,078 | 49 | $24,250 | Excellent | $34,984 | Manageable |
| #4 | $76,309 | 61 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $74,666 | 41 | $21,672 | Excellent | $32,216 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $73,249 | 11 | $27,000 | Excellent | $54,800 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $71,597 | 44 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $71,567 | 36 | $23,750 | Excellent | $52,241 | Challenging | |
| #9 | Art Center College Of DesignPrivate | $71,547 | 223 | $31,000 | Good | $66,614 | High |
| #10 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | $69,235 | 27 | $20,500 | Excellent | $44,954 | Challenging |
| #11 | $68,882 | 45 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Manageable | |
| #12 | $68,445 | 66 | $18,500 | Excellent | $23,123 | Manageable | |
| #13 | Seattle Pacific UniversityPrivate | $68,201 | 33 | $24,000 | Excellent | $37,687 | Challenging |
| #14 | Marist CollegePrivate | $66,343 | 38 | $25,000 | Excellent | $51,958 | High |
| #15 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | $65,839 | 40 | $19,000 | Excellent | $40,731 | Challenging |
| #16 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | $65,030 | 37 | $21,500 | Excellent | $54,925 | High |
| #17 | Stonehill CollegePrivate | $62,675 | 11 | $25,000 | Good | $58,576 | High |
| #18 | University Of FloridaPublic | $62,198 | 54 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Manageable |
| #19 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $62,097 | 185 | $25,325 | Good | $40,932 | High |
| #20 | $61,703 | 59 | $25,028 | Good | $65,597 | High | |
| #21 | $60,807 | 7 | $19,500 | Excellent | $40,025 | Challenging | |
| #22 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $60,610 | 23 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Challenging |
| #23 | $59,906 | 60 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Challenging | |
| #24 | $58,879 | 130 | $14,289 | Excellent | $15,177 | Good | |
| #25 | Suffolk UniversityPrivate | $58,843 | 29 | $26,889 | Good | $38,234 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
