Design and Applied Arts at Rasmussen University-Wisconsin

Rasmussen's Design and Applied Arts program earns graduates $32,246 their first year—putting them in the top 25% nationally and above the Wisconsin median of $29,734. The earnings story is solid, but here's the catch: students graduate with nearly double the typical debt load for this degree. At $28,722, you're looking at debt that's roughly twice the national median of $14,454 and significantly higher than Wisconsin's $15,750 median.

That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.89 means graduates are taking on nearly a full year's salary in loans. Compare this to Fox Valley Technical College, where graduates earn essentially the same amount ($32,673) but presumably with debt levels more typical of Wisconsin technical colleges. Given that 57% of Rasmussen students receive Pell grants, many families are already working with tight budgets—making that premium price tag particularly important to consider.

If your child is specifically drawn to Rasmussen's format or location, the earnings are competitive. But financially, you're paying a significant premium compared to Wisconsin's technical college system, which produces similar or better outcomes at roughly half the debt. Unless there's a compelling reason Rasmussen fits better, the technical colleges offer better value for this particular degree.