Design and Applied Arts at Mercyhurst University

Mercyhurst's design program starts graduates at $28,267—well below both Pennsylvania's median of $32,774 and the national average of $33,563. However, the story improves dramatically by year four, when median earnings jump to nearly $50,000. That 76% earnings growth suggests graduates may be gaining traction in their careers after a difficult launch period, though with a sample size under 30 students, these numbers could shift significantly with just a few outliers.

The debt load of $27,000 matches Pennsylvania's median exactly and sits in the 25th percentile nationally (meaning 75% of programs carry higher debt), which makes it relatively manageable. Still, owing nearly a full year's starting salary creates tight financial margins early on. Among Pennsylvania's 41 design programs, this one ranks in the 40th percentile—middle of the pack locally but trailing substantially behind schools like Pennsylvania College of Technology ($45,572) and Temple ($43,530).

The main concern here is the very small sample size, which makes it hard to trust these numbers as predictive. If your child is considering this program, try to connect with recent alumni directly to verify whether that four-year earnings jump is typical or anomalous. The debt is reasonable, but the below-average starting salary means graduates need either family support or extremely frugal living during those first critical years.