Cleveland Institute of Art

What are the graduation rates for students at Cleveland Institute of Art?

In the reported IPEDS 2024-25 outcomes, 49% of the relevant first-time, full-time students completed a degree within four years, while 58% completed within six years. The six-year figure measures completion within 150% of the standard time for a four-year bachelor's degree.

These rates describe defined entering cohorts, not everyone who enrolled during the reporting year. They do not directly describe transfer students, part-time entrants, or an individual major. The reported first-year retention rate was 88%, meaning most students in that measure returned the following fall; returning and ultimately graduating are different outcomes.

The gap between four- and six-year completion is useful when planning costs: additional time in school can mean additional tuition and living expenses. An applicant comparing programs should ask for a major-specific course plan, particularly if transferring credits or considering a change of major.

What is the earning potential for graduates at Cleveland Institute of Art?

College Scorecard program figures reported in October 2026 put median earnings one year after completion at $29,035 for Design and Applied Arts and $18,508 for Fine and Studio Arts. These are figures for the reported groups, not starting salaries promised to future graduates.

The categories group related programs and may not describe the outcome of a particular CIA major. The measure concerns graduates represented in federal administrative earnings data; it does not capture every form of creative work equally well, nor does a one-year snapshot show later earnings growth. Portfolio quality, location, employment arrangements, further education, and time spent building a practice can all matter.

CIA reports career-support services including individual and group counseling, résumé assistance, interview preparation, employer contacts, job listings, and alumni networking. Availability of those services should not be confused with a verified job-placement rate or a guarantee of employment.