Design and Applied Arts at Rasmussen University-North Dakota

With fewer than 30 graduates in the data, these numbers could shift dramatically, but what we're seeing now isn't encouraging. First-year earnings of $32,482 trail both the national median ($33,563) and lag significantly behind North Dakota's median for this program ($37,164). That's particularly noteworthy since there are only four schools in the state offering this degree—placing this program in the bottom half of an already limited field. North Dakota State graduates earn about $9,000 more their first year out.

The debt picture compounds the concern. At $35,438, graduates carry roughly $4,200 more than the state median and nearly $9,000 above the national average. That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.09—manageable in absolute terms, but it means starting with debt that exceeds your first year's income while also earning less than peers at other institutions.

Given the small cohort size, one or two strong outcomes could improve these metrics considerably. But right now, parents considering this program should note that nearly half of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting a population that may be particularly debt-sensitive. If cost is a factor, exploring options at North Dakota State or waiting to see if these numbers improve with more data would be prudent steps before committing to this program.