Compare 73 Illustration. programs in the Northeast. Average earnings: $45,388.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Illustration tells a different story. Across 73 programs, earnings range from $51,123 to $126,932—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Carnegie Mellon University's Illustration program leads with graduates earning $126,932, nearly three times the regional average of $45,388. Northeastern follows at $81,078, while Rensselaer Polytechnic produces graduates earning $71,567—demonstrating that program-specific factors drive outcomes more than institutional prestige.
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. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.17.
Highest program earnings: $126,932
Strong outcomes ($71,567) with 58% acceptance
2.9% payment burden | Excellent
8.5% family burden | Good
| 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 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $81,078 | 49 | $24,250 | Excellent | $34,984 | Manageable |
| #3 | $71,567 | 36 | $23,750 | Excellent | $52,241 | Challenging | |
| #4 | Marist CollegePrivate | $66,343 | 38 | $25,000 | Excellent | $51,958 | High |
| #5 | Stonehill CollegePrivate | $62,675 | 11 | $25,000 | Good | $58,576 | High |
| #6 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $62,097 | 185 | $25,325 | Good | $40,932 | High |
| #7 | $61,703 | 59 | $25,028 | Good | $65,597 | High | |
| #8 | Suffolk UniversityPrivate | $58,843 | 29 | $26,889 | Good | $38,234 | High |
| #9 | Pratt Institute-MainPrivate | $58,684 | 387 | $26,000 | Good | $88,930 | High |
| #10 | Endicott CollegePrivate | $58,604 | 35 | $27,000 | Good | $38,259 | High |
| #11 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $58,439 | 98 | $26,000 | Good | $39,841 | High |
| #12 | $58,056 | 13 | $25,000 | Good | $54,289 | High | |
| #13 | Temple UniversityPublic | $57,777 | 54 | $24,395 | Good | $36,495 | High |
| #14 | The College Of Saint RosePrivate | $55,951 | 13 | $24,749 | Good | $25,176 | Challenging |
| #15 | $55,647 | 144 | $27,000 | Good | $57,691 | High | |
| #16 | $54,690 | 30 | $25,000 | Good | $38,368 | High | |
| #17 | Susquehanna UniversityPrivate | $53,795 | 12 | $27,000 | Good | $46,359 | High |
| #18 | The New SchoolPrivate | $53,334 | 469 | $22,266 | Good | $57,040 | High |
| #19 | Kean UniversityPublic | $52,084 | 91 | $23,250 | Good | $22,000 | Challenging |
| #20 | Champlain CollegePrivate | $51,123 | 68 | $26,814 | Manageable | $35,886 | High |
| #21 | $50,565 | 28 | $22,300 | Good | $19,642 | Challenging | |
| #22 | York College Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $49,817 | 9 | $26,000 | Manageable | $33,999 | High |
| #23 | Mercyhurst UniversityPrivate | $49,690 | 15 | $25,305 | Manageable | $25,932 | High |
| #24 | $48,950 | 23 | $21,000 | Good | $22,866 | Challenging | |
| #25 | $48,662 | 134 | $26,778 | Manageable | $35,625 | 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 →
