Design and Applied Arts at Gwinnett Technical College

Gwinnett Technical College's Design and Applied Arts program costs more than the typical associate-level design program—$19,000 in debt versus a national median of $14,500—but delivers earnings that beat 78% of similar programs nationally. At roughly $33,000 annually, graduates earn about $5,000 more than the national median for this degree. The debt loads 58% of first-year earnings, which is manageable, though the higher-than-average borrowing amount means students are paying a premium compared to other associate programs.

What's less encouraging is the minimal earnings growth. Graduates see essentially flat income between year one and year four, suggesting this field doesn't reward experience the way many technical careers do. Within Georgia, the program sits at the 60th percentile—solidly middle-of-the-pack among the state's 13 design programs—so there may be stronger in-state alternatives worth comparing. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) provides reasonably reliable data, though not as robust as larger programs.

For families where cost is paramount, this program requires careful consideration. The extra borrowing buys you above-average starting earnings, but the flat income trajectory means you won't quickly outgrow that debt burden. If your student has strong interest in applied arts and plans to supplement their associate degree with additional certifications or a bachelor's later, the solid starting salary provides a reasonable foundation. Otherwise, exploring lower-debt design programs in Georgia could offer better long-term value.