Art and Design programs produce graduates with career earnings ranging from $24,505 to $114,862, demonstrating significant variation across 521 ranked programs. With median earnings of $59,526—$3,709 higher than the national average—these creative careers offer stronger financial prospects than commonly perceived, though program selection remains critical for maximizing outcomes.
Leading the list is Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, achieving the highest program earnings at $74,666. Williams College follows at $72,010, while Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute rounds out the top three at $71,567, demonstrating how design programs at technical institutions consistently deliver superior graduate outcomes in competitive creative markets.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #641 | Arcata, CA | $24,359 Median Art & Design Earnings | $8,090 | 98.8% | 46.6% | |
| #642 | Stephens CollegePrivate | Columbia, MO | $24,204 Median Art & Design Earnings | $16,807 | 91.5% | 46.5% |
| #643 | Clark Atlanta UniversityPrivate | Atlanta, GA | $24,144 Median Art & Design Earnings | $33,555 | 64.6% | 47.8% |
| #644 | Lafayette, LA | $24,048 Median Art & Design Earnings | $11,226 | 88.8% | 52.0% | |
| #645 | University Of La VernePrivate | La Verne, CA | $24,035 Median Art & Design Earnings | $26,754 | 48.5% | 65.5% |
| #646 | Las Vegas, NM | $24,035 Median Art & Design Earnings | $13,501 | — | 25.6% | |
| #647 | Hamline UniversityPrivate | Saint Paul, MN | $24,035 Median Art & Design Earnings | $18,011 | 89.8% | 57.7% |
| #648 | Anderson UniversityPrivate | Anderson, IN | $23,990 Median Art & Design Earnings | $19,260 | 53.4% | 49.4% |
| #649 | Colorado Springs, CO | $23,949 Median Art & Design Earnings | $11,562 | 96.6% | 45.3% | |
| #650 | Tallahassee, FL | $23,882 Median Art & Design Earnings | $13,203 | 21.1% | 51.9% | |
| #651 | Nebraska Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | Lincoln, NE | $23,723 Median Art & Design Earnings | $20,377 | 83.8% | 68.9% |
| #652 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | Santa Clara, CA | $23,649 Median Art & Design Earnings | $36,094 | 43.8% | 88.4% |
| #653 | Ohio Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | Delaware, OH | $23,649 Median Art & Design Earnings | $14,920 | 50.7% | 61.7% |
| #654 | Bellarmine UniversityPrivate | Louisville, KY | $23,579 Median Art & Design Earnings | $18,542 | 93.6% | 67.8% |
| #655 | University Of EvansvillePrivate | Evansville, IN | $23,407 Median Art & Design Earnings | $14,270 | 77.6% | 71.3% |
| #656 | Saint Paul, MN | $23,351 Median Art & Design Earnings | $15,356 | 74.9% | 58.8% | |
| #657 | Joplin, MO | $23,340 Median Art & Design Earnings | $9,021 | 97.4% | 38.3% | |
| #658 | Rexburg, ID | $23,171 Median Art & Design Earnings | $3,102 | 97.0% | 55.1% | |
| #659 | East Central UniversityPublic | Ada, OK | $23,113 Median Art & Design Earnings | $6,438 | 65.5% | 32.7% |
| #660 | Oglethorpe UniversityPrivate | Atlanta, GA | $22,866 Median Art & Design Earnings | $17,338 | 60.1% | 53.9% |
