Location: Boiling Springs, NC•In-State Tuition: $33,450•Admission Rate: 87%•Avg SAT: 1146
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$34,722
Est. from NC median (9 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,000
Est. from NC median (3 programs)

Analysis

Gardner-Webb's Design and Applied Arts program faces a challenging reality: based on comparable programs across North Carolina, graduates typically earn around $35,000 in their first year while carrying approximately $25,000 in debt. That 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, but it means nearly three-quarters of a year's salary goes toward what was borrowed—a heavy lift when starting salaries barely exceed $34,000. The estimated figures align closely with the national median for design programs, suggesting this is simply what the market pays for early-career creative professionals, regardless of where you study.

What should concern you is the comparison within North Carolina itself. Public universities like NC State and East Carolina report significantly higher earnings for their design graduates—$45,000 and $40,000 respectively—with likely similar or lower debt loads. Even UNC Greensboro's design program shows stronger outcomes. Given Gardner-Webb's 87% admission rate and the state's competitive design education landscape, you're potentially paying private school prices (or debt levels) for outcomes that mirror the state average rather than exceeding it.

The bottom line: if your child is committed to design, they need a clear plan for how this degree leads to work that justifies the investment. The numbers suggest Gardner-Webb delivers middle-of-the-road outcomes in a field where connections, portfolio quality, and specialization matter enormously. Stronger programs exist in-state at lower costs.

Where Gardner-Webb University Stands

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

Gardner-Webb University (estimated ±10%)Other design and applied arts programs

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

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Design and Applied Arts bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (26 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Gardner-Webb UniversityBoiling Springs$33,450$34,722*—$25,000*—
North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh$8,895$44,930*$57,533$20,500*0.46
East Carolina UniversityGreenville$7,361$39,992*$46,462$25,000*0.63
University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro$7,593$38,858*$47,912$26,000*0.67
Meredith CollegeRaleigh$43,936$36,357*$46,089$25,000*0.69
Appalachian State UniversityBoone$7,541$34,722*$48,073$21,500*0.62
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 Gardner-Webb University, approximately 27% 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 9 similar programs in NC. Actual outcomes may vary.