This program compared with the national picture
| Measure | This program | National median, same field and credential |
|---|---|---|
| Median earnings 1 year after completion | $34,776 | $33,047 |
| Median earnings 4 years after completion | $37,727 | $36,116 |
| Median federal loan debt (Stafford and Grad PLUS) | $12,125 | $13,524 Median of programs |
| Estimated monthly payment on median debt (10-year standard) | $138 | |
| Graduates in the most recent year | 29 | 8,358 across 542 programs |
Earnings cohorts: Treasury AY2020-21, AY2021-22 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars. Debt cohort: NSLDS pooled AY2022-23, AY2023-24 cohort. Debt covers federal loans only and excludes private loans and Parent PLUS loans. Earnings are for graduates working and not enrolled, before taxes.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most Recent Field of Study Data. Varies by measure; see measure definitions. Published October 15, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Careers this field prepares students for
From the official CIP to SOC crosswalk. Graduates do not all enter these occupations, and occupation wages describe all workers, not new graduates. Official crosswalk
| Occupation | Median wage, all workers | Change 2025 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|
| Web and digital interface designers | $104,000 | +6.0% |
| Architecture teachers, postsecondary | $96,870 | +2.6% |
| Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary | $78,620 | +2.2% |
| Postsecondary teachers, all other | $77,640 | +2.0% |
| Art directors | $114,850 | +4.2% |
| Special effects artists and animators | $102,030 | -0.3% |
| Artists and related workers, all other | $71,240 | +2.0% |
| Commercial and industrial designers | $83,910 | +2.4% |
| Fashion designers | $80,960 | +0.1% |
| Graphic designers | $62,960 | -1.7% |
| Interior designers | $67,190 | +2.7% |
| Set and exhibit designers | $75,240 | +1.4% |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk. CIP 2020 and SOC 2018 taxonomies. Published April 30, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, National. May 2025 reference period. Published April 30, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, Table 1.2: Occupational projections, 2025-35, and worker characteristics, 2025. Base year 2025, projected year 2035. Published August 27, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Comparable programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|
| Miami Ad School-Atlanta GA · Private, for-profit | $68,051 | $26,770 |
| Miami Ad School FL · Private, for-profit | $68,051 | $26,770 |
| Miami Ad School-San Francisco · Private, for-profit | $68,051 | $26,770 |
| Miami Ad School-New York NY · Private, for-profit | $68,051 | $26,770 |
| Creative Circus · Private, for-profit | $66,380 | Data unavailable |
| Gnomon CA · Private, for-profit | $61,966 | $28,332 |
| Massachusetts College of Art and Design MA · Public | $51,058 | $21,500 |
| Minneapolis Community and Technical College MN · Public | $47,612 | Data unavailable |
| Century College MN · Public | $45,475 | $14,830 |
| Columbus State Community College OH · Public | $45,053 | $12,079 |
See all Design and Applied Arts programs and national outcomes
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