For creatives: Was Miami Ad School / VCU / etc. worth the debt?

These portfolio schools cost a fortune. Did your starting salary actually reflect that investment? Or are you a copywriter/art director with $100k in loans making the same as a self-taught junior?

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It was worth it maybe 5-10 years ago. Now with AI and how unstable the industry is, not sure I would recommend students to do it, or coming to advertising at all.

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Good point. AI is redefining what value really is across all industries.

Was worth it 25 years ago when I went. I think it cost me like 20k for two years and I now make 400k. Now it’s not worth it to spend 80k to start a garbage career that will t go anywhere.

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Niceee 20k to 400k that’s definitely a fantastic investment for that period. Wish the same were true today

I did it 7 years ago. It was the only way to break into advertising internationally, but after a year unemployed and 6 struggling, not worth it.

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So sorry about that. I hope the learning experience and community still helped give some value.

I got a degree in software and ended up in marketing via digital marketing. Degrees are to get into the door on your first job, or clear a recruiter screwing. Experience is king to accelerate your career.

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This is so true. Every achievement has a door it unlocks.

My cousin went to SCAD and started her career at IBM Interactive about 10yrs ago when consulting firms were gobbling up digital agencies. She did pretty well…besides selling her soul.

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Would have said good for them but the last part took me off. Hahaha

That’s a great question. Now I’m curious. What schools did people in this bowl go to?

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Graduated VCU 7 years ago. Totally worth it for me for the knowledge, portfolio, network, and pipeline into the agency world.

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Good for you and glad it did deliver real value for you.

Most grads I know say the connections were the real payoff, not the classes. The debt rarely matches the starting pay, especially in junior roles. Networking got them jobs faster, but financially, it’s a tough trade-off.

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I absolutely agree. I found the connections and community to be super important

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