Design and Applied Arts bachelor's degree outcomes at Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, VA · 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.

$2,085 above the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 48.4% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: Not reached
10-year scenario: −69% · 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.

+92%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$25,872 → $49,801

176Earn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

152Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

265Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

308Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median

$27,115Awarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential

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

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$23,433

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

02 · BORROWING$25,937

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$53,575

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$275/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$23,433Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$38,954Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE92.6%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE63.2%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.

$25,872Year 1

$53,575Year 4

$49,801Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

6.2% 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$4,465

Estimated loan payment$275

308borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$53,575 vs. $51,490

$2,085 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$74,870 median wageVA estimate · 2,840 jobs · 25-1121+2.2% projected U.S. growth · 8k openings/yrTypical entry: Master's degreeGraphic Designers$72,310 median wageVA estimate · 4,740 jobs · 27-1024-1.7% projected U.S. growth · 16k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeArtists and Related Workers, All Other$111,530 median wageVA estimate · 180 jobs · 27-1019+2.0% projected U.S. growth · 1.1k openings/yrTypical entry: No formal educational credentialCommercial and Industrial Designers$82,230 median wageVA estimate · 1,480 jobs · 27-1021+2.4% projected U.S. growth · 2.8k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeDesigners, All Other$60,000 median wageVA estimate · 50 jobs · 27-1029+1.2% projected U.S. growth · 2.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeSpecial Effects Artists and Animators$81,510 median wageVA estimate · 380 jobs · 27-1014-0.3% projected U.S. growth · 4.2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeWeb and Digital Interface Designers$77,140 median wageVA estimate · 1,990 jobs · 15-1255+6.0% projected U.S. growth · 8.3k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeSet and Exhibit Designers$58,650 median wageVA estimate · 120 jobs · 27-1027+1.4% projected U.S. growth · 2.2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeArchitecture Teachers, Postsecondary$105,940 median wageVA estimate · 230 jobs · 25-1031+2.6% projected U.S. growth · 0.7k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeArt Directors$101,150 median wageVA estimate · 670 jobs · 27-1011+4.2% projected U.S. growth · 12.2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeFashion Designers$94,120 median wageVA estimate · 100 jobs · 27-1022+0.1% projected U.S. growth · 2.5k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreePostsecondary Teachers, All Other$84,060 median wageVA estimate · 1,580 jobs · 25-1199+2.0% projected U.S. growth · 12.5k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degree

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