Design and Applied Arts at Marian University

When earnings data comes from just seven Design and Applied Arts programs across Indiana, there's inherent uncertainty in what Marian University graduates actually experience. That said, the estimated $35,400 first-year salary aligns exactly with Indiana's median for this field and edges above the $33,600 national benchmark—suggesting the program lands squarely in the middle of what design graduates typically earn early in their careers.

The estimated $22,000 debt load offers a meaningful advantage over the national median of $26,880 for design programs. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62, graduates would theoretically need about seven months of gross income to cover their total borrowing—manageable by most standards. However, the reality is that design careers often start slowly, with many graduates freelancing or working contract positions before finding stable employment. The comparison data shows Indiana's design programs producing a wide range of outcomes, from Notre Dame's $46,800 down to Taylor's $31,900, which underscores how much individual program quality and career networking matter in creative fields.

For parents evaluating this investment, the moderate debt estimate provides some reassurance, but the limited sample size means you're betting on averages rather than this program's track record. If your student has a specific design focus—graphic design versus industrial design, for instance—investigate whether Marian's curriculum and faculty connections align with that path, since early-career success in creative fields depends heavily on portfolio quality and industry access.