Design and Applied Arts at Austin Community College District

Austin Community College's Design and Applied Arts associate's degree produces graduates earning around $40,000—significantly above the national median of $27,846 for this field and beating 95% of similar programs nationwide. Among Texas design programs, though, it lands at the 60th percentile, performing solidly but not exceptionally compared to in-state alternatives like Collin County ($33,456) and Dallas College ($31,478). The catch? Graduates here carry nearly $20,000 in debt versus a state median of $13,757, giving this program one of the higher price tags among Texas community colleges for this credential.

That debt premium becomes harder to justify when you see earnings plateau completely—graduates make essentially the same amount four years out as they do immediately after graduating. For a creative field where building a portfolio and client base typically drives income growth, this flat trajectory is unusual. You're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49, meaning nearly half a year's salary goes to repaying loans.

The value calculation here depends on whether the higher starting salary justifies the additional debt burden. Students gain about $8,000 more per year than the typical Texas design graduate, which over four years means roughly $32,000 in additional earnings—enough to offset the extra debt if they maintain those earnings levels. But parents should recognize they're paying a premium for outcomes that, while strong nationally, are middle-of-the-pack within Texas.