Compare 6 Illustration. programs in Virginia. Average earnings: $43,954.
The highest-earning Illustration program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $24K earnings gap across 6 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Virginia Tech's Illustration program leads with graduates earning $59,906—46% above the $44K average for Virginia programs. Marymount University follows at $51,014, while Radford University rounds out the top three at $40,925, proving that program strength varies independently of overall school reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Virginia Tech graduates borrow $21,500 and face just a 7.9% 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 0.36.
Highest program earnings: $59,906
Strong outcomes with 57% acceptance
7.9% payment burden | Excellent
22.8% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $59,906 | 60 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Marymount UniversityPrivate | $51,014 | 47 | $25,000 | Manageable | $45,008 | High |
| #3 | Radford UniversityPublic | $40,925 | 29 | $24,000 | Manageable | $22,158 | High |
| #4 | $39,889 | 278 | $21,500 | Manageable | $23,585 | High | |
| #5 | Liberty UniversityPrivate | $36,375 | 162 | $24,500 | Challenging | $16,398 | High |
| #6 | Longwood UniversityPublic | $35,612 | 11 | $25,000 | High | $36,395 | 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 →
