Design and Applied Arts at Northeastern University

Northeastern's Design and Applied Arts program is essentially the best-performing program in its category both nationally and statewide—which is exactly what you'd expect from a highly selective institution, but also exactly what anxious parents need to see given the premium price tag. With first-year earnings of $49,727 that jump to $81,078 by year four, graduates here are earning roughly 50% more than typical Massachusetts design graduates and more than double the national median for this field.

The debt picture looks equally strong. At $28,250, graduates carry only slightly more debt than average, resulting in a 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable even in year one. More importantly, that 63% earnings growth trajectory suggests this program opens doors to career advancement that most design programs don't—perhaps through Northeastern's co-op network or the competitive advantage of the university's brand in creative industries. Among the top design programs in Massachusetts, Northeastern essentially ties with Wentworth for the highest earnings.

The real question is opportunity cost: are these outcomes worth the full Northeastern price versus a state school? The earnings premium over UMass-Lowell ($40,000 more by year four) suggests yes, assuming your family can manage the likely higher overall debt. For design students who typically face uncertain employment prospects, this program delivers an unusually clear path to financial stability.