Design and Applied Arts at Purdue University Fort Wayne

At under $28,000 in first-year earnings, graduates from this program earn roughly $8,000 less than other Indiana design graduates and about $6,000 below the national median. The program ranks in just the 25th percentile statewide—meaning three-quarters of similar Indiana programs produce better earnings outcomes. Even accounting for Fort Wayne's lower cost of living, nearby Ball State's design graduates earn about $9,000 more annually, and Purdue's main campus program in West Lafayette yields $17,000 higher starting salaries.

The debt load itself isn't alarming at $27,000, sitting near national norms. But paired with those earnings, graduates face nearly dollar-for-dollar debt-to-income in their first year—a tight financial situation that makes loan repayment challenging right out of the gate. Indiana's other design programs typically carry less debt ($22,000 median) while delivering significantly better earnings.

The very small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift dramatically year to year, so they're not ironclad. But the pattern is concerning enough to warrant serious investigation. Before committing, parents should ask pointed questions about internship networks, alumni placement, and whether graduates are finding design work that uses their degree—or settling for lower-paying jobs outside their field.