Location: Franklin, IN•In-State Tuition: $37,350•Admission Rate: 71%•Avg SAT: 1119
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$35,439
Est. from IN median (7 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$22,000
Est. from IN median (3 programs)

Analysis

A $22,000 debt load for a design degree that leads to $35,000 first-year earnings looks manageable on paper, but these figures come from comparable programs across Indiana rather than Franklin College's actual graduate outcomes. Similar design programs in the state span a wide range—from Notre Dame's $46,825 down to Taylor's $31,921—suggesting that institutional resources and connections matter significantly in this field.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 falls comfortably below the concerning 1.0 threshold, and the estimated debt is notably lower than the national median of $26,880 for design programs. However, peer programs typically produce earnings that leave graduates with monthly loan payments consuming a substantial portion of entry-level creative industry salaries. Franklin's 39% Pell grant population suggests many students are already stretching financially, making even moderate debt burdensome.

The fundamental challenge here is uncertainty: without actual outcomes data for Franklin's design graduates, you're essentially betting that this program performs at the state median rather than at the lower end of the range. If your child is set on design and Franklin offers strong faculty relationships or portfolio-building opportunities, the estimated numbers aren't prohibitive. But if they have admission offers from Indiana programs with proven track records—like Ball State's documented $36,864—those schools remove the guesswork about post-graduation prospects.

Where Franklin College Stands

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

Franklin College (estimated ±10%)Other design and applied arts programs

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana

Design and Applied Arts bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (23 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Franklin CollegeFranklin$37,350$35,439*—$22,000*—
University of Notre DameNotre Dame$62,693$46,825*$65,839$20,250*0.43
Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette$9,992$44,602*$49,180$20,250*0.45
Ball State UniversityMuncie$10,758$36,864*—$22,000*0.60
University of Saint Francis-Fort WayneFort Wayne$35,420$35,439*$39,179$27,000*0.76
Taylor UniversityUpland$39,104$31,921*—$22,000*0.69
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 Franklin College, approximately 39% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 7 similar programs in IN. Actual outcomes may vary.