Design and Applied Arts at Ohio University-Main Campus

Ohio University's Design and Applied Arts program starts rough but tells an unusual comeback story. That first-year median of $24,716 ranks in just the 11th percentile nationally—among the lowest in the country for this degree. But four years out, graduates reach $42,105, a 70% jump that moves them above both state and national medians. This trajectory suggests graduates either develop specialized skills over time or find their footing in higher-paying creative roles after initial struggles.

The problem is surviving those early years. At $26,791 in debt, graduates face monthly payments while earning barely above minimum wage initially. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.08 means a full year's salary just to cover loans. For context, top Ohio programs like Cincinnati and Miami place graduates at $47,000-$52,000 right away, making this a significantly riskier path. Even within Ohio, this program sits at median performance—40th percentile—despite being at a large public flagship.

If your child has a financial cushion to weather low initial earnings and is willing to bet on long-term growth in their creative field, this could work out. But most design grads can't afford to earn $25,000 while carrying significant debt. Unless they have strong family support or can live very cheaply, more stable programs exist even within Ohio's public system.