Location: Springfield, MO•In-State Tuition: $9,024•Out-of-State Tuition: $17,928•Admission Rate: 91%•Avg SAT: 1119
Median Earnings (1yr)
$33,695
51st percentile
40th percentile in Missouri
Median Debt
$26,477
1% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.79 ManageableSample: 44 graduates

Analysis

Missouri State's Design and Applied Arts program delivers middling outcomes that lag behind several in-state alternatives. While the $33,695 starting salary roughly matches the national median, it falls below Missouri's state median of $33,808, placing this program in just the 40th percentile among the state's 24 design programs. Parents should note that Park University graduates in this field earn nearly 40% more ($46,340), and even public competitors like Missouri Western and Central Missouri produce stronger first-year earnings.

The debt load of $26,477 is reasonable—translating to a 0.79 debt-to-earnings ratio that suggests manageable monthly payments. Modest earnings growth to $36,414 by year four shows some career progression, though this still trails what Missouri's top design programs deliver right out of the gate. For a program at a school with a 91% admission rate, these outcomes aren't alarming, but they're not compelling either.

If your child is passionate about design and committed to Missouri State for other reasons (location, campus fit, scholarships), this program won't saddle them with crushing debt. But if maximizing career earnings matters, encourage them to compare offers from Park, Maryville, or Missouri Western—institutions where design graduates consistently earn more from day one.

Where Missouri State University-Springfield Stands

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

Missouri State University-SpringfieldOther design and applied arts programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Missouri State University-Springfield graduates compare to all programs nationally

Missouri State University-Springfield earns $34k — 51th percentile among design and applied arts bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Missouri State University-Springfield$33,695$36,414+8%
Carnegie Mellon University$66,274$126,932+92%
Maryville University of Saint Louis$39,623$44,867+13%
University of Central Missouri$33,921$40,901+21%
Kansas City Art Institute$29,513$37,720+28%

Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri

Design and Applied Arts bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (24 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Missouri State University-SpringfieldSpringfield$9,024$33,695$36,414$26,4770.79
Park UniversityParkville$16,400$46,340—$20,7500.45
Maryville University of Saint LouisSaint Louis$27,166$39,623$44,867$24,6210.62
Missouri Western State UniversitySaint Joseph$9,800$37,200———
University of Central MissouriWarrensburg$9,739$33,921$40,901$25,5760.75
Washington University in St LouisSt. Louis$62,982$33,615—$19,0890.57
National Median—$33,563—$26,8800.80

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 Missouri State University-Springfield, approximately 21% 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 44 graduates with reported earnings and 44 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.