Design and Applied Arts at The University of Texas at Arlington

Drawing from comparable Design and Applied Arts programs across Texas, graduates typically start around $38,500—placing them squarely at the state median for this field. That's roughly $5,000 below what UT Austin or Texas State graduates earn, but it's a meaningful step above the $33,500 national median for design programs. The estimated $23,400 in debt yields a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61, suggesting graduates should be able to manage payments on a standard 10-year plan while building their careers.

The challenge is that we're working with estimates here since UTA's actual graduate outcomes aren't publicly available. Looking at the range among Texas programs with reported data—from $39,000 to $47,000—there's considerable variation depending on the school and the specific design specialization. If UTA's program skews toward commercial design or UX work, outcomes could align with the higher earners; if it leans more toward fine arts or exhibition design, the lower end becomes more likely.

For a family evaluating this program, the key question is whether UTA offers specific career pathways or industry connections that justify confidence in these estimated figures. The 40% Pell Grant rate suggests the school serves students who need their degree to deliver economically, making it worth investigating placement rates and alumni outcomes directly with the department before committing.