Design and Applied Arts at Taylor University

Taylor University's Design and Applied Arts program graduates a small group each year earning roughly $32,000—below both the state median ($35,400) and national average ($33,600). This places it in the 40th percentile among Indiana programs, trailing schools like Ball State and Purdue Fort Wayne by $5,000 to $13,000 annually. The $22,000 debt level matches the state median but still creates a 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates carry debt equal to about two-thirds of their first-year salary. That's workable, but tighter than ideal for a field where entry-level earnings remain modest.

The real concern is what these numbers represent: a small graduating class (under 30 students) at a private Christian college with selective admissions and only 13% Pell recipients. You're paying private school tuition for below-average creative field outcomes. Indiana has 23 programs to choose from, and most public options deliver comparable or better earnings at lower cost.

If your child is drawn to Taylor's faith-based mission and tight-knit community, the debt here isn't catastrophic—but understand you're choosing the environment over financial optimization. For families prioritizing career ROI in design fields, Indiana's public universities offer clearer pathways to stronger first-year earnings.