Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Laguna College of Art and Design #1436 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,484 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 15.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Laguna College of Art and Design sits in the 9.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Laguna College of Art and Design's composite ranking reflects its distinctive position as a specialized arts institution delivering measurable outcomes. The school's focus on visual and performing arts translates to median earnings that outperform expectations for similar students at comparable institutions.
Azimuth ranks Laguna College of Art and Design #1436 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private art and design college in Laguna Beach, California, Laguna College of Art and Design enrolls roughly 746 undergraduates. The institution maintains a 84.2% freshman retention rate and a 51.7% six-year graduation rate. Laguna College of Art and Design is anchored in a specialized mission: preparing students for careers in visual and performing arts. The college's program portfolio concentrates on Visual & Performing Arts, a field that shapes both the student experience and post-graduation outcomes. With 29.9% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 22.0% identifying as first-generation college students, Laguna College of Art and Design serves a meaningful share of students navigating college as the first in their families. Where Laguna College of Art and Design performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Laguna College of Art and Design #1095 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $48,922, and earn about $12,484 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Laguna College of Art and Design in the 15.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the college's ability to move students into creative careers with meaningful financial returns relative to the investment required. Access, mobility, and affordability sit lower in the composite. Laguna College of Art and Design sits in the 9.3 percentile for access, the 71.5 percentile for mobility, and the 1.7 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. For prospective students and families, this positioning signals that Laguna College of Art and Design delivers strong earnings outcomes for those who enroll, though the institution's specialized focus and cost structure shape both who attends and what financial support is available.
Laguna College of Art and Design's published cost of attendance is $57,989. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families see a net price of approximately $37,203, middle-income families pay around $40,258, and higher-income families pay approximately $46,889. Azimuth ranks Laguna College of Art and Design #1401 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Laguna College's aid structure combines institutional grants with federal and state aid programs. The college participates in need-based aid through the FAFSA and institutional processes. For families evaluating affordability, the gap between sticker price and net price matters substantially — net price and sticker price can differ significantly, and understanding your actual out-of-pocket cost is essential to comparing options fairly. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $65,400; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $48,922, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Laguna College of Art and Design is a strong fit for students passionate about the visual and performing arts who want a focused, studio-based education in CA. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $48,922, placing Laguna College of Art and Design in the 9.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution serves a specialized student population — 29.9% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 22.0% are first-generation students. This cohort completes degrees at a rate of 60.7%, demonstrating the college's ability to support artists through graduation. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 94.3% admit rate reflects competitive portfolio reviews, and the program mix concentrates heavily in Visual & Performing Arts (representing 76% of degrees). Students whose creative goals align with these disciplines will find a tailored environment, though those seeking broader academic exploration may want to consider institutions with more diversified offerings.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Laguna College Of Art And Design hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Laguna College of Art and Design's published cost of attendance is $57,989. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families see a net price of approximately $37,203, middle-income families pay around $40,258, and higher-income families pay approximately $46,889.
Azimuth ranks Laguna College of Art and Design #1401 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Laguna College's aid structure combines institutional grants with federal and state aid programs. The college participates in need-based aid through the FAFSA and institutional processes.
For families evaluating affordability, the gap between sticker price and net price matters substantially — [net price and sticker price can differ significantly](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/), and understanding your actual out-of-pocket cost is essential to comparing options fairly. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $65,400; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $48,922, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Laguna College of Art and Design earn median 4-year earnings of $48,922, placing Laguna College of Art and Design in the 9.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,484 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Laguna College of Art and Design in the 15.1 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Laguna College of Art and Design #1095 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects the institution's concentrated focus on visual and performing arts.
Design and Applied Arts is the largest program with 84 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $68,934, performing at 1.3× the national benchmark for the field. The Graphic Communications program graduates 29 students with median 4-year earnings of $38,850, at 0.9× the field benchmark, while Fine and Studio Arts enrolls 6 graduates earning $27,815 four years after enrollment.
As a specialized arts institution, Laguna College of Art and Design delivers outcomes aligned with creative-sector career pathways, where earnings growth often extends beyond the early post-graduation window as graduates build portfolios and professional networks.
Design and Applied Arts
84 graduates
Graphic Communications
29 graduates
Fine and Studio Arts
6 graduates
Laguna College of Art and Design concentrates its program portfolio in visual and performing arts — a signature aligned with the institution's identity as a specialized design and art college in coastal California. The largest programs by enrollment are Design and Applied Arts with 84 graduates earning median four-year earnings of $68,934, followed by Graphic Communications with 29 graduates earning $38,850, and Fine and Studio Arts with 6 graduates earning $27,815.
Across 3 programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, reflecting the institution's depth in creative disciplines. The earnings pattern across Laguna College of Art and Design's portfolio shows meaningful variation by specialization.
Design and Applied Arts leads with median four-year earnings of $68,934 among 84 graduates, followed by Graphic Communications with $38,850 and Fine and Studio Arts with $27,815. This range reflects how creative-field outcomes depend on specialization choice, with some disciplines commanding stronger early-career compensation than others within the visual and performing arts ecosystem.
As a specialized institution in the Visual & Performing Arts space, Laguna College of Art and Design serves students whose career trajectories often extend beyond the four-year earnings window — many graduates pursue freelance creative work, graduate study, or portfolio-building phases before reaching peak earning potential. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how creative-field labor markets differ from traditional professional pathways, with earnings growth often occurring later in career as reputation and client networks mature.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brevard College Similar quality tier (#36226 ranked) | NC | 42% | $43,545 | #36226 | Compare |
University Of Mobile Similar quality tier (#36224 ranked) | AL | 78% | $43,611 | #36224 | Compare |
The Master's University And Seminary Similar quality tier in West (#36223 ranked) | CA | 84% | $57,106 | #36223 | Compare |
The Juilliard School Similar quality tier (#36227 ranked) | NY | 9% | $37,827 | #36227 | Compare |
Kansas City Art Institute Similar quality tier (#36221 ranked) | MO | 55% | $37,032 | #36221 | Compare |
