Design and Applied Arts at Oakland University

Oakland University's Design and Applied Arts program starts slow but shows impressive momentum. First-year graduates earn $30,687—below both the Michigan median ($34,045) and national average—but by year four, earnings jump to $40,683, outpacing all but one competing program in the state. That 33% growth trajectory is notable in a creative field where early-career earnings often stagnate.

The debt picture makes this growth matter even more. At $27,954, graduates carry essentially average debt for the program while their fourth-year earnings eventually exceed what peers at Michigan State or Central Michigan achieve. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.91 means manageable payments from day one, and as earnings climb, that burden shrinks considerably.

The tradeoff here is patience. Your child will likely struggle more financially in those first couple years after graduation compared to peers at Western Michigan or Eastern Michigan. But for families comfortable weathering that initial period—perhaps with parental support or a side job—this program offers a credible path to competitive mid-career earnings at a reasonable debt level. Just know you're banking on year 2-4 growth that the data suggests is happening, but isn't guaranteed for every graduate.