Design and Applied Arts at Moore College of Art and Design

Moore graduates earn less than 90% of design students in Pennsylvania—and substantially below the state median of $32,774. While first-year earnings of $20,587 are concerning, the program shows strong income growth, with graduates nearly doubling their earnings by year four to reach $35,957. That trajectory suggests students develop marketable skills, even if they're entering the workforce at lower-paying entry positions typical of some arts-focused career paths.

The $27,000 debt load matches Pennsylvania's median for design programs, but it carries different weight when paired with below-market earnings. That 1.31 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one improves as incomes rise, yet graduates still trail peers at other Pennsylvania institutions by significant margins. Carnegie Mellon and Penn College of Technology graduates earn nearly double after four years, though their programs serve different market segments. Even more accessible state schools like Kutztown show substantially higher outcomes.

The bottom line: this is a high-risk path unless your child has compelling reasons to attend Moore specifically—perhaps its women-focused mission or particular faculty connections. The financial fundamentals don't compete well with other Pennsylvania design programs, and 41% of students receiving Pell grants suggests many families are taking on this debt with limited safety nets. If design education is the goal, Temple or Kutztown offer notably better earning potential at comparable or lower debt levels.