Design and Applied Arts at Ivy Tech Community College

At around $26,600 annually, Ivy Tech's Design and Applied Arts associate degree produces earnings that fall short of both the state median ($28,443) and national average ($27,846)—landing in just the 40th percentile among Indiana programs. What's particularly concerning is the complete stagnation: graduates earn essentially the same four years out as they do fresh out of school. For context, International Business College's comparable program in Indianapolis yields $30,284, nearly $4,000 more.

The $12,710 debt load is manageable at face value—half your first year's earnings is reasonable debt. But when that earning power doesn't grow and remains below what most other Indiana programs deliver, you're looking at a longer payback period than the numbers initially suggest. These earnings also translate to genuine financial constraints: at this income level, affording rent in Indianapolis while managing student loan payments requires careful budgeting.

If your child is passionate about design, this isn't necessarily a dead end—but the Indiana data suggests there are stronger options even within the state. At minimum, investigate whether Ivy Tech's Indianapolis campus offers portfolio-building opportunities or industry connections that might explain why some graduates succeed despite the modest median outcomes.