Design and Applied Arts at Nassau Community College

Nassau Community College's Design and Applied Arts program shows troubling first-year outcomes, but the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—makes it hard to know if these numbers represent the typical experience. At $18,107 one year after graduation, earnings land in just the 5th percentile nationally for this program and below New York's state median of $22,960. Even among New York schools, this ranks only at the 25th percentile. Compare this to Monroe Community College's Design and Applied Arts graduates, who earn $27,718 right out of the gate—over 50% more.

The one bright spot is debt load: at $10,600, it's manageable and below both state and national averages. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 isn't catastrophic given that earnings do climb to $27,500 by year four—a 52% increase that brings graduates closer to the pack. Still, even with that growth, they're only reaching what many comparable programs deliver immediately after graduation.

For parents considering this program, the critical question is whether those initial low earnings reflect the small sample catching graduates in retail or service jobs while they build portfolios, or if this represents a systemic issue with career preparation and employer connections. Given the uncertainty and the availability of stronger-performing community college alternatives in New York, I'd want to see placement rates and a clearer picture of where graduates actually land before committing.