Design and Applied Arts at Park University

Park University's design program graduates are earning $46,340 just one year out—nearly $13,000 above the national median and roughly $12,500 more than the typical Missouri design graduate. That 95th percentile national ranking isn't a typo: this program significantly outperforms nearly every comparable design program in the country. Even within Missouri's design landscape, it ranks in the 80th percentile, beating out schools like Washington University and Missouri State.

The debt picture complicates things somewhat. At $20,750, graduates carry less debt than national and state medians, but that figure still lands in the 86th percentile nationally—meaning most design programs nationwide saddle students with even less debt. The 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable, translating to roughly half a year's salary, which most graduates can realistically handle.

The caveat matters here: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances could swing these numbers significantly. A few high earners in specialized roles could be inflating the median. Still, even accounting for statistical noise, the earnings premium over peer programs is substantial enough to suggest Park is connecting graduates with better opportunities than most Missouri design schools. For families concerned about post-graduation employment prospects in a notoriously competitive field, this program's track record justifies serious consideration—just recognize you're looking at a smaller program where outcomes may vary more than at larger institutions.