Design and Applied Arts at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Bowling Green's Design and Applied Arts program stands out sharply in Ohio, placing in the 80th percentile statewide—significantly ahead of the state's $26,464 median. While the $35,645 starting salary won't impress compared to STEM fields, it's actually $9,000 more than the typical Ohio design graduate earns. The $27,000 debt load sits right at national norms but represents just 0.76 times first-year earnings, a manageable ratio that many creative programs struggle to achieve.

The earnings trajectory looks healthy: graduates see 25% income growth by year four, reaching $44,382. That's real momentum in a field where many programs show stagnant wages. Yes, top Ohio programs like Cincinnati and Miami deliver substantially higher earnings, but they're also more selective institutions. For an 81% admission rate school, Bowling Green punches above its weight.

This program makes sense for Ohio families who want their creative student at a state school without sacrificing earning potential. The debt is reasonable, outcomes beat most in-state alternatives, and the moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) suggests consistent results rather than a statistical fluke. If your child is committed to design work and realistic about creative field salaries, this represents solid value—especially compared to pricier private art schools that often leave graduates with double the debt.