QUICK ANSWER
For Korean students the debt question works differently from the American one. Students on F-1 visas cannot use U.S. federal student loans, which are limited to U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens. So “debt” usually means family savings, Korean loans or private U.S. loans that typically need a U.S. co-signer.
That makes the four-year total and the scholarship the real decision. At 2026–27 prices, four years of cost of attendance at CalArts or Pratt is over $360,000 before any increase, while the median U.S. graphic designer earned $62,960 in 2025.
FOUR-YEAR MATH · 1
Four-Year Totals at Current Prices
| School | 2026–27 figure | × 4 years (no increases) |
|---|---|---|
| CalArts | Cost of attendance $90,455 | $361,820 |
| Pratt | Cost of attendance $90,967 | $363,868 |
| RISD | Tuition $66,460 (plus fees, insurance, housing) | $265,840 tuition alone |
| Columbia (Visual Arts) | Cost of attendance, first year on campus, $99,774 | About $400,000 |
From each school’s 2026–27 published costs. Four-year figures are our multiplication of one year’s price and will be higher if prices rise.
FOUR-YEAR MATH · 2
What Graduates Earn
| Occupation | Median pay (2025) | Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic designers | $62,960 | 253,100 jobs; −2% projected for 2025–35; 20% self-employed |
| Special effects artists and animators | $102,030 | 51,900 jobs; 0% projected for 2025–35; 63% self-employed |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Medians cover all workers in the occupation, not new graduates.
These are national medians for whole occupations, not starting salaries, and they apply to work in the U.S. A graduate who returns to Korea or works elsewhere faces a different market. The point is scale: a $360,000 education is several years of a median designer’s salary.
FOUR-YEAR MATH · 3
Where Scholarships Change the Answer
| School | Admits with an award | Average award |
|---|---|---|
| Otis | 31 of 38 (82%) | $63,935 (n=31) |
| MICA | 51 of 64 (80%) | $54,290 (n=51) |
| Parsons | 38 of 63 (60%) | $53,116 (n=38) |
| Pratt | 40 of 102 (39%) | $67,638 (n=40) |
| SVA | 41 of 140 (29%) | $58,944 (n=41) |
| RISD | 4 of 68 (6%) | Not reported (n=4) |
Royal Blue results record, 2009–2026. Award rates are shares of our admits, not admission rates; check in each letter whether an award is annual and renewable.
FOR KOREAN FAMILIES
Decide the maximum four-year budget before applications, not after acceptances. Then build a list that includes schools where our admits are often funded, compare written offers line by line, and ask whether each award renews every year. Our questions before committing and lessons from our record help with that.
FOUR-YEAR MATH · 4
Frequently Asked Questions
Can international students get U.S. federal student loans?
No. Federal student aid is limited to U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens, which excludes students on F-1 visas.
How much does four years at a U.S. art school cost?
At 2026–27 prices, four years of cost of attendance at CalArts or Pratt is over $360,000 before increases.
What do graphic designers earn in the U.S.?
The BLS median was $62,960 in 2025, for all graphic designers rather than new graduates.
Do animators earn more?
The BLS median for special effects artists and animators was $102,030 in 2025, with 63% self-employed.
How can a family reduce the cost?
Set a four-year budget first, include schools that often fund our admits, and compare renewable awards in writing.
ROYAL BLUE ART & DESIGN
For 19 years we have prepared Korean students for U.S. art schools from our studio in Apgujeong, Seoul. Our public record lists 1,099 acceptances confirmed directly with students at 95 schools. We help families plan a school list around a four-year budget. Call 02-3446-5929 or book a consultation.
Costs from CalArts, Pratt, RISD and Columbia (2026–27); earnings from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025 data); federal aid eligibility from Federal Student Aid. Royal Blue figures from our results record (2009–2026). Checked October 2026. This is general information, not financial advice. If something here has changed, tell us and we will correct it.
Related reading: Questions Before Committing · Lessons from Our Record · CalArts Cost Analysis (Korean) · Pratt Guide · Royal Blue Results