Design and Applied Arts bachelor's degree outcomes at Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public · Federal field 5004

Data scope

Federal records group outcomes by college, four-digit field and credential level. A record may cover several catalog programs or concentrations.

The short version

Reported earnings are close to the same-degree benchmark.

$1,760 above the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 52.9% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: Not reached
10-year scenario: −68% · Negative payoff
Price evidence: College-wide context only

OUTCOME SIGNALS

Graduate outcomes from several angles.

Follow earnings over time and inspect the cohort behind each federal measure.

+47%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$36,784 → $54,108

—Earn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

25Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

48Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

80Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median

$46,947Awarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential

3Recent awardsIPEDS 2023–24 first-major completions in this field and credential

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$19,680

Institution-wide annual average net price—not this program’s price.

02 · BORROWING$28,175

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$53,250

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$299/mo

Estimated standard 10-year federal payment.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Published college costs provide the starting point.

Your exact offering, aid, residency and time to finish determine the price you actually pay.

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AVERAGE NET PRICE$19,680Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$32,198Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE84.8%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE80.7%Institution-wide completion rate

WHAT DO GRADUATES EARN?

Reported earnings after completion.

Each point may represent a different federal cohort. A missing bar means the figure was unavailable or suppressed.

$36,784Year 1

$53,250Year 4

$54,108Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

6.7% of gross monthly earnings

Estimated monthly payment divided by observed gross monthly earnings. This excludes taxes, other debts and income-driven repayment.

Gross monthly earnings$4,438

Estimated loan payment$299

80borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$53,250 vs. $51,490

$1,760 above the national median for the same field and credential.

Same-field national median

WHAT WORK CAN IT LEAD TO?

Related occupations, wages and outlook.

Official CIP–SOC links show careers the curriculum may prepare students for—not observed jobs held by this school’s graduates. BLS wages describe everyone working in an occupation.

BLS May 2025 wage estimates and 2025–35 employment projections.

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$82,990 median wageMI estimate · 2,410 jobs · 25-1121+2.2% projected U.S. growth · 8k openings/yrTypical entry: Master's degreeGraphic Designers$57,350 median wageMI estimate · 6,070 jobs · 27-1024-1.7% projected U.S. growth · 16k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeCommercial and Industrial Designers$102,160 median wageMI estimate · 2,930 jobs · 27-1021+2.4% projected U.S. growth · 2.8k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeDesigners, All Other$64,950 median wageU.S. estimate · 150 jobs · 27-1029+1.2% projected U.S. growth · 2.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeArtists and Related Workers, All Other$63,830 median wageMI estimate · 230 jobs · 27-1019+2.0% projected U.S. growth · 1.1k openings/yrTypical entry: No formal educational credentialSpecial Effects Artists and Animators$86,630 median wageMI estimate · 230 jobs · 27-1014-0.3% projected U.S. growth · 4.2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeWeb and Digital Interface Designers$81,010 median wageMI estimate · 1,750 jobs · 15-1255+6.0% projected U.S. growth · 8.3k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeSet and Exhibit Designers$50,910 median wageMI estimate · 140 jobs · 27-1027+1.4% projected U.S. growth · 2.2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeArchitecture Teachers, Postsecondary$100,700 median wageMI estimate · 190 jobs · 25-1031+2.6% projected U.S. growth · 0.7k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeArt Directors$86,660 median wageMI estimate · 1,080 jobs · 27-1011+4.2% projected U.S. growth · 12.2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreePostsecondary Teachers, All Other$70,550 median wageMI estimate · 2,660 jobs · 25-1199+2.0% projected U.S. growth · 12.5k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeFashion Designers$63,430 median wageMI estimate · 40 jobs · 27-1022+0.1% projected U.S. growth · 2.5k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degree

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