Design and Applied Arts at Belmont University

Belmont's Design and Applied Arts program trails behind most Tennessee alternatives, ranking in the 25th percentile statewide despite being one of the state's more selective universities. At just under $29,000 in first-year earnings, graduates here earn about $6,000 less than the state median for this field—and roughly $7,000 less than what UT-Chattanooga or MTSU graduates make. That gap matters when you're carrying $27,000 in debt, which takes nearly a full year's salary to match.

The 46% earnings jump to nearly $42,000 by year four offers some optimism, but even that growth only brings graduates to par with what peers at other Tennessee schools earn right out of the gate. For a family paying private university prices (Belmont's 96% admission rate notwithstanding), the return on investment looks modest compared to public alternatives that cost less and deliver stronger immediate outcomes. The small sample size here—fewer than 30 graduates tracked—means individual circumstances heavily influence these numbers, but the pattern is concerning enough to warrant serious consideration.

If your child is set on Belmont for campus culture or other programs, understand that the design path may require financial patience. Otherwise, UT-Chattanooga and MTSU offer stronger earning potential with lower price tags, making them worth a hard look for Tennessee families.