Design and Applied Arts at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How The University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduates compare to all programs nationally
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduates earn $36k, placing them in the 62th percentile of all design and applied arts bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Tennessee
Design and Applied Arts bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Tennessee (14 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $36,061 | $43,320 | — | — |
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | $41,968 | — | $25,000 | 0.60 |
| Middle Tennessee State University | $38,807 | — | — | — |
| East Tennessee State University | $34,177 | — | $19,250 | 0.56 |
| Belmont University | $28,702 | $41,993 | $27,000 | 0.94 |
| Nossi College of Art and Design | $24,497 | — | $46,500 | 1.90 |
| National Median | $33,563 | — | $26,880 | 0.80 |
Other Design and Applied Arts Programs in Tennessee
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Tennessee schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga | $10,144 | $41,968 | $25,000 |
| Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro | $9,506 | $38,807 | — |
| East Tennessee State University Johnson City | $9,950 | $34,177 | $19,250 |
| Belmont University Nashville | $41,320 | $28,702 | $27,000 |
| Nossi College of Art and Design Nashville | $20,350 | $24,497 | $46,500 |
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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, approximately 21% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 22 graduates with reported earnings and 17 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.