Design and Applied Arts at Missouri State University-Springfield

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.