Posted on Friday, September 28, 2012 by Chris Bliss
A new survey confirms it -- a CCA education leads to career success.
California College of the Arts ranks first among art and design schools in the country for alumni with the highest-paying jobs, according to PayScale, a compensation data company, in its 2012-13 College Salary Report.
The annual report ranks undergraduate degrees and schools by postgraduation salary potential. In the Bay Area, CCA ranks fourth (behind Stanford University, Santa Clara University, and University of California, Berkeley). Statewide, CCA is ninth.
The PayScale study found CCA alumni had a starting median salary of $43,000 and a median midcareer salary of $96,700. Typical starting graduates have two years of experience; midcareer alumni have 10 years. All those surveyed hold undergraduate degrees and no higher degrees.
CCA Diploma is Valuable
“We’ve always known that a CCA education has tremendous value,” commented Director of Career Development Kate Dey. “Our mission is to prepare students to navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving world of work by acquiring skills, building strong professional connections, and developing entrepreneurial strategies for creating and sustaining their own businesses or professional practices.
“Our students graduate with the ability, experience, and confidence to thrive in a broad range of professional endeavors.”
Gainful Employment
CCA alumni are employed at some of the most innovative companies and organizations -- Adobe, Apple, Google, Levi-Strauss, MTV, Pixar, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, to name a few.
According to a recent survey of CCA alumni:
- 36 percent remain and work in the Bay Area
- 29 percent hold management-level positions in arts-related fields
- 25 percent own their own businesses
Read more about CCA's Career Development programs and services »
Methodology
The PayScale College Salary Report is based upon survey data for bachelor degree graduates without higher degrees who are full-time employees in the United States. The results may not represent all attendees of these colleges.
Salary is the sum of compensation from base salary, bonuses, profit sharing, commissions, and overtime, if applicable, but does not include equity (stock) compensation.
About PayScale
Launched in 2002 and headquartered in Seattle, PayScale owns the largest database of online employee salary data in the world. Areas of expertise include compensation, business, and statistics.