Design and Applied Arts at Lesley University

Lesley's Design and Applied Arts program starts rough but shows remarkable recovery. That first-year earnings figure of $25,227 ranks in just the 14th percentile nationally and trails the Massachusetts median by nearly $6,000. But four years out, graduates see their earnings nearly double to $44,987—outpacing every comparison school except Northeastern, Wentworth, and BU. This 78% growth trajectory suggests graduates are landing entry-level positions that lead somewhere, rather than dead-end gigs.

The $26,500 debt load sits right at the national median, creating a manageable 1.05 debt-to-earnings ratio even with those challenging first-year numbers. Within Massachusetts, this program ranks in the 25th percentile—not stellar, but the state comparison is skewed by several powerhouse programs. When you look at the four-year outcomes instead of the initial struggle, Lesley graduates are closing the gap considerably.

The real question is whether your family can weather that difficult first year. If your student has financial support to get through the early career phase—perhaps living at home or having a financial cushion—this program's growth trajectory becomes compelling. The 94% admission rate makes it accessible, and those mid-career earnings show it's not a dead end. Just don't expect immediate returns.