The Worst Colleges for Bachelor’s Degree Payoff, Ranked

Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, Massachusetts, was founded in the late 1960s by artists and creative professionals. The small private art college emphasizes studio practice, liberal arts, experiential learning, and individualized instruction for students building lives around creative work.

A -$25,000 payoff shows that the first decade may be financially difficult for graduates. Small art programs can carry meaningful costs, while early creative careers often involve freelance work, part-time jobs, and slow portfolio growth. Returns may improve for alumni who find stable design, teaching, gallery, or commercial art paths.