Design and Applied Arts at Clark Atlanta University

Clark Atlanta University's design program produces concerning first-year earnings of just $20,974—roughly 40% below the national median and 20% below Georgia's average. Even after four years, graduates earn only $23,202, placing this program in the bottom 5% nationally. For context, Georgia Tech design graduates earn more than twice as much ($52,694), while even other Georgia programs like Savannah College of Art and Design—known for arts education—start at $23,400.

The debt burden of $27,427 creates a particularly tight squeeze given these earnings. Parents should understand what a 1.31 debt-to-earnings ratio means practically: their child would owe more than an entire year's salary, making standard loan payments challenging on a $21,000 income. While the 11% earnings growth shows some upward trajectory, it doesn't fundamentally change the economics when starting from such a low base.

This program serves a predominantly Pell-eligible student body (69%), and for families already facing financial constraints, the combination of below-market earnings and above-average debt creates real risk. If your child is committed to design, exploring options at Georgia's public universities—where outcomes range from significantly better to comparable—would provide more financial security. The moderate sample size suggests this pattern is reliable enough to take seriously.