Location: Weatherford, OK•In-State Tuition: $8,295•Out-of-State Tuition: $8,325•Admission Rate: 100%•Avg SAT: 1050
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$37,755
Est. from OK median (3 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,851
Est. from national median (141 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68 suggests manageable borrowing, but the picture here is unusually hazy. Because this program's graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to publish data, these figures come from just three Oklahoma design programs—meaning they could represent wildly different specialties, from graphic design to industrial design to fashion. The estimated $37,755 first-year salary sits right at Oklahoma's median for design degrees and above the $33,563 national benchmark, while the estimated $25,851 debt load tracks close to typical art school borrowing. On paper, that's a reasonable starting point.

The challenge is that "design and applied arts" is an umbrella term covering career paths with vastly different earning trajectories. Comparable Oklahoma programs show this range clearly, with University of Central Oklahoma graduates earning $42,619 versus Oklahoma Christian's $31,466—a $11,000 spread that makes a significant difference when you're paying off loans. Without knowing whether Southwestern's program emphasizes market-ready skills like UX design or more traditional fine arts approaches, it's difficult to gauge where graduates actually land. For a parent, this means your child's specific concentration and portfolio development will matter more than the degree name. If they're pursuing commercially viable design skills with strong internship connections, this could work out fine. If not, that estimated debt could feel heavier than the numbers suggest.

Where Southwestern Oklahoma State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all design and applied arts bachelors's programs nationally

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (estimated ±10%)Other design and applied arts programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Oklahoma

Design and Applied Arts bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Oklahoma (9 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Southwestern Oklahoma State UniversityWeatherford$8,295$37,755*—$25,851*—
University of Central OklahomaEdmond$8,522$42,619*$51,938$15,875*0.37
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNorman$9,595$37,755*—$27,000*0.72
Oklahoma Christian UniversityEdmond$25,900$31,466*$45,924$27,000*0.86
National Median—$33,563*—$26,880*0.80
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with design and applied arts graduates

Art Directors

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.

$111,040/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

$99,800/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web and Digital Interface Designers

Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Video Game Designers

Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in architecture and architectural design, such as architectural environmental design, interior architecture/design, and landscape architecture. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Fashion Designers

Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.

$80,690/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Commercial and Industrial Designers

Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.

$79,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Set and Exhibit Designers

Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

$66,280/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Interior Designers

Plan, design, and furnish the internal space of rooms or buildings. Design interior environments or create physical layouts that are practical, aesthetic, and conducive to the intended purposes. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design.

$63,490/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Graphic Designers

Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.

$61,300/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Artists and Related Workers, All Other

All artists and related workers not listed separately.

$56,260/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Southwestern Oklahoma State University, approximately 38% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in OK. Actual outcomes may vary.