Compare 20 Illustration. programs in New York. Average earnings: $46,658.
With top graduates earning $71,567, Illustration stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $25K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Illustration program leads with graduates earning $71,567, followed by Marist College at $66,343. The average across New York's 20 programs is $46,658, demonstrating how technical-focused institutions can outperform in creative fields traditionally dominated by art schools.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Rensselaer graduates borrow $23,750 and face just a 6.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making strong outcomes truly accessible.
Highest program earnings: $71,567
Strong outcomes with 58% acceptance
6.6% payment burden | Excellent
21.9% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $71,567 | 36 | $23,750 | Excellent | $52,241 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Marist CollegePrivate | $66,343 | 38 | $25,000 | Excellent | $51,958 | High |
| #3 | Pratt Institute-MainPrivate | $58,684 | 387 | $26,000 | Good | $88,930 | High |
| #4 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $58,439 | 98 | $26,000 | Good | $39,841 | High |
| #5 | $58,056 | 13 | $25,000 | Good | $54,289 | High | |
| #6 | The College Of Saint RosePrivate | $55,951 | 13 | $24,749 | Good | $25,176 | Challenging |
| #7 | The New SchoolPrivate | $53,334 | 469 | $22,266 | Good | $57,040 | High |
| #8 | $48,662 | 134 | $26,778 | Manageable | $35,625 | High | |
| #9 | $45,854 | 25 | $23,334 | Manageable | $39,731 | High | |
| #10 | $45,046 | 45 | $14,718 | Good | $18,349 | Challenging | |
| #11 | $44,692 | 35 | $18,750 | Good | $23,871 | High | |
| #12 | Marymount Manhattan CollegePrivate | $43,732 | 10 | $25,750 | Manageable | $84,946 | High |
| #13 | Nazareth UniversityPrivate | $41,193 | 17 | $26,038 | Challenging | $42,000 | High |
| #14 | Russell Sage CollegePrivate | $40,175 | 18 | $22,000 | Manageable | $23,291 | High |
| #15 | $38,872 | 23 | $20,880 | Manageable | $19,416 | High | |
| #16 | Suny At FredoniaPublic | $37,931 | 24 | $24,250 | Challenging | $17,580 | High |
| #17 | $35,685 | 129 | $10,533 | Good | $9,563 | Challenging | |
| #18 | Cuny Queens CollegePublic | $35,392 | 102 | $10,298 | Good | $17,680 | High |
| #19 | Villa Maria CollegePrivate | $31,581 | 12 | $21,250 | High | $9,975 | High |
| #20 | $21,964 | 8 | $20,000 | High | $16,771 | 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 →
