Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degree) at Meredith College

Median Earnings (1yr)

$36,357

63rd percentile

60th percentile in North Carolina

Median Debt

$25,000

7% below national median

Analysis

Meredith's Design and Applied Arts program starts graduates around $36,000 but delivers something unusual in this field: actual earnings growth. While many arts programs plateau early, Meredith graduates see their income climb 27% to reach $46,000 by year four—a trajectory that distinguishes this program from most design degrees nationwide.

The financials work in graduates' favor. At $25,000 in debt (matching the state median but below the national average), the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 is manageable, particularly given the upward earnings trend. Among North Carolina's 26 design programs, Meredith lands solidly in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, trailing the state's flagship universities but outperforming several competitors. More importantly, it beats the national median for design programs by about $3,000 in first-year earnings, suggesting the Raleigh location and institutional connections provide real advantages.

The catch is that even with strong growth, year-four earnings of $46,000 require realistic expectations about lifestyle and debt repayment timelines. For students committed to design careers, though, Meredith offers something valuable: a program that doesn't just launch graduates into the field but helps them build earning power over time. That's not guaranteed in arts education.

Where Meredith College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all design and applied arts bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Meredith College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Meredith College	$36,357	$46,089	+27%
North Carolina State University at Raleigh	$44,930	$57,533	+28%
Appalachian State University	$34,722	$48,073	+38%
University of North Carolina at Greensboro	$38,858	$47,912	+23%
East Carolina University	$39,992	$46,462	+16%

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Design and Applied Arts bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (26 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Meredith CollegeRaleigh	$43,936	$36,357	$46,089	$25,000	0.69
North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh	$8,895	$44,930	$57,533	$20,500	0.46
East Carolina UniversityGreenville	$7,361	$39,992	$46,462	$25,000	0.63
University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro	$7,593	$38,858	$47,912	$26,000	0.67
Appalachian State UniversityBoone	$7,541	$34,722	$48,073	$21,500	0.62
William Peace UniversityRaleigh	$33,150	$33,536	—	$24,978	0.74
National Median	—	$33,563	—	$26,880	0.80

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with design and applied arts graduates

Art Directors

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.

$111,040/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

$99,800/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web and Digital Interface Designers

Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Video Game Designers

Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in architecture and architectural design, such as architectural environmental design, interior architecture/design, and landscape architecture. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Fashion Designers

Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.

$80,690/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Commercial and Industrial Designers

Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.

$79,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Set and Exhibit Designers

Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

$66,280/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Interior Designers

Plan, design, and furnish the internal space of rooms or buildings. Design interior environments or create physical layouts that are practical, aesthetic, and conducive to the intended purposes. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design.

$63,490/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Graphic Designers

Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.

$61,300/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Artists and Related Workers, All Other

All artists and related workers not listed separately.

$56,260/yrJobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Meredith College, approximately 33% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 37 graduates with reported earnings and 37 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.