Design and Applied Arts at Albright College

Albright's Design and Applied Arts graduates start at just under $30,000—about $3,000 below Pennsylvania's median for this field and $4,000 below the national average. But there's a significant upside story here: earnings jump 34% to nearly $40,000 within four years, outpacing the typical growth trajectory for this major. The debt load of $27,000 matches both state and national medians, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio that improves substantially as graduates gain experience.

The challenge is the starting point. While the moderate sample size suggests reliable data, Albright ranks in just the 40th percentile among Pennsylvania design programs. Compare that to schools like Pennsylvania College of Technology ($45,572) or even regional competitor Kutztown ($40,286), and you're looking at a $10,000+ gap in early earnings. That matters when half of Albright students come from Pell-eligible families—these graduates need income quickly.

For families considering this program, the math works if your child can weather lower early earnings or has financial support through those first years. The strong earnings growth suggests graduates are finding their footing and building valuable careers. But if immediate post-graduation income is critical, Pennsylvania offers stronger-performing design programs at comparable or lower debt levels.