Design and Applied Arts at Hardin-Simmons University

Based on comparable Design and Applied Arts programs in Texas, Hardin-Simmons graduates would enter the field earning around $38,500—placing them right at the state median but well behind graduates from UT Austin or Houston, who start nearly $9,000 higher. This gap matters because creative fields often reward portfolio strength and connections developed during school, and the difference between programs can be substantial. The estimated $26,250 in debt sits near the national benchmark for design degrees, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68 that suggests manageable but not comfortable repayment in those crucial early career years.

The challenge here is that we're working entirely with estimates drawn from peer programs, since Hardin-Simmons' graduate cohort was too small for the Department of Education to report. That means we can't know whether this program's specific outcomes match, exceed, or fall short of the state average we're using as a proxy. What we do know is that Texas design programs show significant variation—some launch graduates into $45,000+ starting salaries while others hover in the mid-to-upper $30,000s.

For families considering this investment, the lack of program-specific data makes it essential to dig deeper through direct conversations with the department about alumni outcomes, internship placements, and industry connections in Texas markets. At these estimated figures, the numbers suggest a viable but not standout option—but without actual graduate data, you're betting on potential rather than proven results.