Design and Applied Arts at Maine College of Art & Design

Maine College of Art & Design graduates start slow but show promising momentum, with earnings jumping 32% from $29,000 to $38,000 over four years. That growth trajectory matters because the initial salary—while below the national median for design programs—comes paired with manageable debt of $27,000, keeping the debt-to-earnings ratio under 1.0.

The state context here is particularly relevant: this program sits at the 60th percentile among Maine design programs, meaning it outperforms more than half the state's offerings despite that modest starting salary. Nationally, the program ranks lower (29th percentile), but that comparison misses an important reality—art school graduates who stay in smaller markets like Portland will naturally earn less than peers in major design hubs, regardless of program quality. The relatively low debt burden (25th percentile nationally) helps offset this geographic wage gap.

By year four, graduates reach $38,000, approaching the national 75th percentile. For a student committed to living and working in Maine's creative sector, this represents a reasonable pathway—especially given the strong earnings growth pattern. The financial picture works because debt stays proportional to income, though families should understand this isn't a quick-return investment. It's a slower build that rewards graduates who can weather those early years.