Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
Lakewood, Colorado · Private For-Profit
ROI Score: 13/100 · Poor Value
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) in Lakewood, Colorado scores ROI 13 (Poor Value) -- a for-profit art and design school with 2,050 undergraduates near Denver. The school's financial profile is among the most challenging in this analysis: a $32,363 average net price (high for a for-profit), a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.016 (graduates owe more than their annual income), a 31.8% completion rate, and a 33.9-year payback period. Median 6-year earnings of $30,500 are below the national average for workers with no college degree. Design and Applied Arts is the largest program (176 graduates, F grade, D2E 1.56); Computer Software and Media Applications (34 graduates, F grade, D2E 1.20) and Graphic Communications (46 graduates, F grade, D2E 1.42) are the other main programs -- all with F-grade ROI ratios and median debt exceeding $30,000. The school does not report admissions selectivity data.
The data raises concerns about Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score13/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Debt-to-earnings1.02 - Advisors recommend total student debt stay below one year of salary (ratio under 1.0).
- 6-year graduation rate31.8% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period33.9 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $20,190/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $20,190/yr |
| Average net price | $32,363/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $129,452 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,958 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $30,500 |
| Median debt at graduation | $31,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $329 |
| Estimated payback period | 33.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 31.8% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,050 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is $20,190/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $32,363/year, or roughly $129,452 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $29,847/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $36,201/year.
The median graduate leaves with $31,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $329 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $42,958 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 1.02 - above the recommended threshold where total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $29,847 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $29,351 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $32,387 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $36,040 |
| $110,001+ | $36,201 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $29,847 per year -- this school charges low-income families more than $20,000 per year, placing it among the worst aid structures for Pell recipients in this analysis. Over four years that is roughly $119,388. Against median 6-year earnings of $30,500 and a 31.8% completion rate, the financial risk for low-income students is severe.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 30,001-48,000 bracket pays $29,351. The 48,001-75,000 bracket rises to $32,387, and the 75,001-110,000 bracket climbs to $36,040. Cost stays in a narrow range across the middle income spectrum -- RMCAD's pricing is nearly income-insensitive, meaning middle-income families receive minimal aid advantage over low-income families.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $36,201 per year. Over four years that is roughly $144,804. Against median 10-year earnings of $42,958, this investment does not recoup within a typical career horizon for any program the school offers.
Earnings by Major
Top 3 most popular majors at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts | $41,617 | F |
| Graphic Communications | $37,239 | F |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $48,472 | F |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Design and Applied Arts
Design and Applied Arts is RMCAD's largest program by graduate count at 176 students. Median 1-year earnings of $29,829 and 4-year earnings of $41,617 -- against $46,544 median debt (well above the federal undergraduate limit) -- produce a 1.560 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade F). Design graduates are borrowing nearly $50,000 to earn $30,000 at graduation. Four years later they earn $41,617 -- still below the loan amount. Denver's creative economy employs designers, but the demand does not generate salary levels that justify for-profit art school pricing. Students who want design careers in Colorado have lower-debt pathways through Colorado State, University of Colorado, or community college certificate programs.
Computer Software and Media Applications
Computer Software and Media Applications produces 34 graduates per year with median 1-year earnings of $37,268 and 4-year earnings of $48,472. Against $44,806 median debt and a 1.202 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade F), this is still negative ROI territory. This program is the closest RMCAD has to a technical pathway -- game design, animation software -- but the debt load and earnings do not align. Community college and bootcamp alternatives in Denver deliver comparable or stronger technical skills at dramatically lower cost.
Graphic Communications
Graphic Communications produces 46 graduates per year with median 1-year earnings of $23,247 and 4-year earnings of $37,239. Against $32,982 median debt and a 1.419 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade F), graduates owe 41% more than their annual income at graduation -- a ratio that typically signals loan distress within the first few years of repayment. Graphic design salaries in Denver's creative economy cannot service $33,000 in debt at $23,247 in first-year earnings.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 59.3% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 64.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 57.2% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 63.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Enrollment | 2,050 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 48.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $5,588 |
This school does not report admissions selectivity data. Given the for-profit status and program type, enrollment is likely based primarily on student interest and financial aid eligibility rather than academic screening. Students should scrutinize portfolio and accreditation details carefully before committing.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
RMCAD (ROI 13) sits in a peer cluster of for-profit schools including Colorado Technical University, Strayer University (multiple campuses), and Berkeley College. These peers share for-profit status and similar debt-to-earnings profiles. The school does not have a natural nonprofit peer comparison given its for-profit status and narrow program focus. Among all for-profit art schools in the CampusROI database, RMCAD's combination of high net price ($32,363), below-median earnings ($30,500), above-limit debt ($31,000), and 31.8% completion rate places it in the bottom tier of any arts education ROI ranking.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (this school) | 13 | $32,363 | $42,958 |
| Berkeley College-Woodland Park | 16 | $27,100 | $40,251 |
| Strayer University-Virginia | 11 | $19,578 | $40,092 |
| Strayer University-Tennessee | 11 | $11,645 | $40,092 |
| Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs | 9 | $16,745 | $37,180 |
| Strayer University-South Carolina | 9 | $17,979 | $40,092 |
Who Thrives Here
RMCAD admits students who want specialized arts and design training in a Colorado environment without the selectivity requirements of art schools like RISD or Pratt. No SAT/ACT data is reported and no admission rate is published, signaling open or near-open enrollment. With 48.4% Pell recipients, nearly half the student body is low-income -- a population paying over $29,000 per year at a school with a 31.8% completion rate and F-grade ROI across all programs. This school is not a defensible financial choice for any income level based on available data.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. With a net cost of $32,363 per year and median graduate earnings of only $42,958 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 33.9 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 31.8% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $31,000 against $42,958 in earnings is concerning. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72 exceeds the commonly recommended threshold. Major choice is critical here.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.