Location: Henderson, TN•In-State Tuition: $25,000•Admission Rate: 91%•Avg SAT: 1109
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$35,119
Est. from TN median (6 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$27,000
Est. from national median (108 programs)

Analysis

Other Design and Applied Arts programs in Tennessee cluster around $35,000 in first-year earnings, which is where Freed-Hardeman's graduates likely land based on state patterns. That puts this program squarely in the middle of Tennessee offerings—above schools like Belmont ($28,702) but well behind UT-Chattanooga ($41,968) and Middle Tennessee State ($38,807). The estimated $27,000 in debt is manageable at face value, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77 that suggests graduates could reasonably handle loan payments.

However, the creative fields come with a reality check: starting salaries rarely climb dramatically in the first few years, and many design graduates piece together freelance work or accept lower-paying positions to build portfolios. The estimated earnings here align with typical outcomes for arts programs nationally ($33,563 median), but that doesn't make the career path any easier financially. At a small Christian university with a 91% admission rate, you're also paying private school tuition for outcomes that mirror state schools charging significantly less.

If your child is committed to design and values Freed-Hardeman's environment, the debt load won't crush them—but they'll need to be strategic about internships and portfolio development to compete with graduates from larger programs. The financial math works, barely, if they land steady employment quickly.

Where Freed-Hardeman University Stands

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

Freed-Hardeman University (estimated ±10%)Other design and applied arts programs

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Tennessee

Design and Applied Arts bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Tennessee (14 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Freed-Hardeman UniversityHenderson$25,000$35,119*—$27,000*—
The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanooga$10,144$41,968*—$25,000*0.60
Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro$9,506$38,807*——*—
The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville$13,484$36,061*$43,320—*—
East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City$9,950$34,177*—$19,250*0.56
Belmont UniversityNashville$41,320$28,702*$41,993$27,000*0.94
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 Freed-Hardeman University, approximately 22% 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 6 similar programs in TN. Actual outcomes may vary.