Location: Ypsilanti, MI•In-State Tuition: $15,510•Admission Rate: 81%•Avg SAT: 1046
Median Earnings (1yr)
$38,443
73rd percentile
60th percentile in Michigan
Est. Median Debt
$27,954
Est. from MI median (7 programs)
Sample: 17 graduates Limited data

Analysis

Eastern Michigan's Design and Applied Arts bachelor's outperforms most peer programs, with first-year earnings of $38,443 landing in the 73rd percentile nationally and 60th in Michigan. That puts graduates slightly above Western Michigan's reported outcomes and well ahead of the national median of $33,563. Based on similar programs at public universities in Michigan, graduates likely carry around $27,954 in debt—a manageable burden when paired with these earnings. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73 suggests most graduates could realistically handle their loan payments on an entry-level design salary.

The practical math looks solid: monthly loan payments would consume roughly 11-12% of gross income, leaving reasonable breathing room even in expensive metro areas like Detroit or Ann Arbor where many design jobs cluster. What's encouraging here is that Eastern Michigan achieves these outcomes while serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (37%), suggesting the program creates genuine economic mobility rather than just serving already-privileged students.

The main caveat is that these debt figures are estimates drawn from similar Michigan programs, not reported data from Eastern Michigan specifically. Individual outcomes will vary based on specialization—UX designers typically earn more than print designers, for instance. But the strong earnings performance relative to both state and national benchmarks suggests this program delivers legitimate career preparation without the debt burden that often accompanies arts degrees.

Where Eastern Michigan University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all design and applied arts bachelors's programs nationally

Eastern Michigan University (estimated ±10%)Other design and applied arts programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Eastern Michigan University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Eastern Michigan University earns $38k — 73th percentile among design and applied arts bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

Design and Applied Arts bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (20 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti$15,510$38,443—$27,954*—
Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo$15,298$39,077$57,047$27,000*0.69
Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant$14,190$36,917$51,538$28,500*0.77
Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing$15,988$36,784$47,546$28,175*0.77
Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids$13,630$34,045$39,209$27,000*0.79
College for Creative StudiesDetroit$51,355$32,665$55,614$26,000*0.80
National Median—$33,563—$26,880*0.80
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with design and applied arts graduates

Art Directors

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.

$111,040/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

$99,800/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web and Digital Interface Designers

Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Video Game Designers

Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in architecture and architectural design, such as architectural environmental design, interior architecture/design, and landscape architecture. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Fashion Designers

Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.

$80,690/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Commercial and Industrial Designers

Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.

$79,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Set and Exhibit Designers

Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

$66,280/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Interior Designers

Plan, design, and furnish the internal space of rooms or buildings. Design interior environments or create physical layouts that are practical, aesthetic, and conducive to the intended purposes. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design.

$63,490/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Graphic Designers

Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.

$61,300/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Artists and Related Workers, All Other

All artists and related workers not listed separately.

$56,260/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Eastern Michigan University, approximately 37% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 17 graduates with reported earnings and 14 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.