Design and Applied Arts at Nashville State Community College
Associate's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How Nashville State Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Nashville State Community College graduates earn $27k, placing them in the 48th percentile of all design and applied arts associates programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Tennessee
Design and Applied Arts associates's programs at peer institutions in Tennessee (7 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville State Community College | $27,412 | $29,716 | $13,625* | — |
| Chattanooga State Community College | $20,165 | $28,974 | $11,681* | 0.58 |
| National Median | $27,846 | — | $14,454* | 0.52 |
Other Design and Applied Arts Programs in Tennessee
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Tennessee schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga State Community College Chattanooga | $4,550 | $20,165 | $11,681 |
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 Nashville State Community 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 19 graduates with reported earnings and 10 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.