Compare 285 Illustration. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $51,945. Top programs: $138,588+.
Illustration programs produce graduates earning between $18,315 and $138,588—a $120K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 287 ranked programs nationally, outcomes vary dramatically based on program quality, not institutional reputation. The average of $52K masks wide variation: the right program can nearly triple that figure.
Carnegie Mellon University leads the rankings, with Illustration graduates earning $138,588—nearly $87K above the national average of $52K. But the more instructive story is Georgia Tech at #3: a public university delivering $95,697 in program earnings at a $7,666 net price, outperforming many private institutions. Program choice, not school prestige, drives these gaps.
Debt burden separates good programs from genuinely smart investments. Carnegie Mellon Illustration graduates borrow $21,750 in student loans and face just a 2.6% payment burden—firmly in the 'Excellent' tier. Georgia Tech delivers a similar story: $21,672 in student debt and a 4.1% burden, also 'Excellent,' at one of the lowest net prices in the rankings.
Highest program earnings: $138,588
Strong outcomes ($99,444) with 56% acceptance
2.6% payment burden | Excellent
7.6% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | $138,588 | 31 | $21,750 | Excellent | $37,130 | Excellent |
| #2 | $99,444 | 20 | $27,000 | Excellent | $54,800 | Manageable | |
| #3 | $95,697 | 75 | $21,672 | Excellent | $32,216 | Good | |
| #4 | $89,193 | 38 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Good | |
| #5 | $89,022 | 55 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Good | |
| #6 | $87,358 | 41 | $23,750 | Excellent | $52,241 | Manageable | |
| #7 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $87,336 | 53 | $24,250 | Excellent | $34,984 | Manageable |
| #8 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | $83,414 | 28 | $19,000 | Excellent | $40,731 | Manageable |
| #9 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | $78,121 | 32 | $20,500 | Excellent | $44,954 | Manageable |
| #10 | Art Center College Of DesignPrivate | $76,093 | 228 | $31,000 | Excellent | $66,614 | High |
| #11 | University Of RedlandsPrivate | $75,374 | 22 | $26,000 | Excellent | $28,208 | Manageable |
| #12 | Florida State UniversityPublic | $73,888 | 46 | $18,000 | Excellent | $17,000 | Good |
| #13 | Boston UniversityPrivate | $72,809 | 25 | $23,250 | Excellent | $39,000 | Challenging |
| #14 | $72,213 | 70 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Manageable | |
| #15 | $71,605 | 219 | $21,250 | Excellent | $23,602 | Manageable | |
| #16 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $71,527 | 100 | $26,000 | Excellent | $39,841 | Challenging |
| #17 | $69,846 | 48 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Manageable | |
| #18 | $69,715 | 60 | $18,500 | Excellent | $23,123 | Manageable | |
| #19 | University Of DenverPrivate | $69,251 | 20 | $21,844 | Excellent | $27,813 | Manageable |
| #20 | $69,224 | 28 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,968 | Manageable | |
| #21 | $69,047 | 16 | $20,500 | Excellent | $30,610 | Manageable | |
| #22 | $68,934 | 84 | $27,000 | Excellent | $65,400 | High | |
| #23 | Seattle Pacific UniversityPrivate | $68,547 | 35 | $24,000 | Excellent | $37,687 | Challenging |
| #24 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | $68,313 | 52 | $21,500 | Excellent | $54,925 | High |
| #25 | $68,160 | 65 | $25,028 | Excellent | $65,597 | 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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
