Location: Des Moines, WA•In-State Tuition: $4,623•Out-of-State Tuition: $5,156
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$39,248
Est. from WA median (7 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$21,401
Est. from WA median (4 programs)

Analysis

Similar Design and Applied Arts bachelor's programs in Washington suggest first-year earnings around $39,000—a figure that aligns with the state median and sits just above the national benchmark of $33,500. Combined with an estimated debt load of $21,400, this creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55, which is manageable by most standards. The challenge is that these estimates are drawn from peer programs across Washington rather than Highline's actual graduate outcomes, making it difficult to know where this specific program truly lands in the competitive landscape.

What we do know is that Design and Applied Arts bachelor's degrees in Washington produce widely varying results. The University of Washington's design graduates earn over $63,000 in their first year, while Western Washington graduates start at $31,000. Bellevue College, another community college offering this degree, reports actual earnings of nearly $46,000—though it's unclear whether Highline's program would perform similarly. The lower estimated debt here is encouraging, but without knowing the program's actual placement rates or industry connections, it's hard to assess whether graduates secure design positions that justify the investment.

For parents, the estimated figures suggest reasonable value if the earnings materialize, but the lack of reported data means you're betting on an unknown. Before committing, dig into where Highline's design graduates actually work and whether the program has demonstrated success launching careers that pay above that $39,000 threshold.

Where Highline College Stands

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

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

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Washington

Design and Applied Arts bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Washington (15 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Highline CollegeDes Moines$4,623$39,248*—$21,401*—
University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle$12,643$63,449*$71,597$12,250*0.19
Bellevue CollegeBellevue$4,305$45,947*—$33,660*0.73
Washington State UniversityPullman$12,997$44,823*$57,332$22,802*0.51
Seattle Pacific UniversitySeattle$38,814$39,248*$68,201$26,000*0.66
Western Washington UniversityBellingham$9,286$31,078*$68,445$20,000*0.64
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 Highline College, approximately 17% 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 WA. Actual outcomes may vary.