Design and Applied Arts at Saint Edward's University

Saint Edward's design program leaves graduates earning 35% less than their peers at other Texas schools, which is striking given Austin's robust creative economy. First-year graduates earn just $30,589—far below the state median of $38,553 and trailing programs at UT-Austin, Texas State, and even Sam Houston State by $10,000 or more. This 25th percentile ranking among Texas design programs raises questions about why outcomes lag so significantly behind comparable institutions in the same city.

The 26% earnings growth over four years is the program's strongest feature, but it's playing catch-up from a low starting point. By year four, graduates reach $38,625, essentially matching what their peers at other Texas schools earned three years earlier. The $26,000 debt load is reasonable relative to first-year earnings (0.85 ratio), but when that debt finances below-market outcomes in a city known for its design and tech sectors, the value equation becomes harder to justify.

If your child is considering this program, understand they'll likely start their career at a significant earnings disadvantage compared to graduates from other Texas schools—including less selective public universities. Unless there are specific faculty relationships, facilities, or career connections that would compensate for this gap, stronger-performing programs across Texas offer better launching points for design careers without requiring private school tuition.