Compare 21 Illustration. programs in California. Average earnings: $51,821.
The highest-earning Illustration program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $53K earnings gap across 21 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
San Jose State University's Illustration program leads with graduates earning $82,682—well above the state average of $51,821. Art Center College of Design follows at $71,547, while Chapman University reaches $69,235. This variation shows program excellence exists beyond traditional prestige markers.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. San Jose State graduates borrow $15,000 and face just a 3.4% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. When parent loans are included, families still maintain a manageable 8.9% burden, proving top programs can deliver both outcomes and affordability.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $82,682 | 153 | $15,000 | Excellent | $20,820 | Good | |
| #2 | Art Center College Of DesignPrivate | $71,547 | 223 | $31,000 | Good | $66,614 | High |
| #3 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | $69,235 | 27 | $20,500 | Excellent | $44,954 | Challenging |
| #4 | $68,882 | 45 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $58,879 | 130 | $14,289 | Excellent | $15,177 | Good | |
| #6 | $57,556 | 150 | $15,371 | Excellent | $19,732 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $56,391 | 33 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $55,388 | 235 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $55,004 | 156 | $27,000 | Good | $28,055 | High | |
| #10 | University Of San FranciscoPrivate | $51,544 | 39 | $23,000 | Good | $44,413 | High |
| #11 | $50,842 | 87 | $27,000 | Manageable | $48,857 | High | |
| #12 | $49,840 | 12 | $25,000 | Manageable | $60,000 | High | |
| #13 | $48,939 | 47 | $12,750 | Excellent | $16,836 | Manageable | |
| #14 | $47,770 | 18 | $22,990 | Manageable | $38,376 | High | |
| #15 | Woodbury UniversityPrivate | $44,056 | 26 | $26,960 | Manageable | $39,059 | High |
| #16 | $43,110 | 62 | $15,000 | Good | $16,507 | Challenging | |
| #17 | $41,161 | 52 | $14,505 | Good | $12,050 | Challenging | |
| #18 | $40,019 | 89 | $16,000 | Manageable | $15,000 | High | |
| #19 | $37,032 | 124 | $16,552 | Manageable | $17,585 | High | |
| #20 | $29,685 | 75 | $27,000 | High | $65,400 | High | |
| #21 | $28,669 | 35 | $26,063 | High | $31,387 | 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 →
