Location: Tucson, AZ•In-State Tuition: $13,626•Out-of-State Tuition: $41,095•Admission Rate: 86%•Avg SAT: 1261
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$35,960
Est. from AZ median (5 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,851
Est. from national median (141 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable programs in Arizona, design and applied arts graduates typically earn around $36,000 in their first year—landing right at the state median but above the national benchmark of $33,563. The estimated $25,851 in debt produces a manageable 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio, suggesting borrowers could reasonably pay off loans within a few years if they prioritize it.

The real question is trajectory. Design fields can be feast or famine, with income often depending more on portfolio quality, networking, and industry connections than the credential itself. Similar programs across Arizona show a tight earnings band, with most clustering between $31,000 and $39,000 in year one. That suggests the field itself—not the specific school—largely determines starting pay in this state.

For a program at University of Arizona, where 26% of students receive Pell grants and the admission rate is 86%, these estimates reflect a middle-of-the-road outcome. The debt burden is reasonable if your child lands work in their field, but design careers often require unpaid internships, freelance hustle, or geographic flexibility to break through. If they're drawn to this field, make sure they understand the portfolio and networking will matter as much as—or more than—the degree itself.

Where University of Arizona Stands

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

University of Arizona (estimated ±10%)Other design and applied arts programs

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Arizona

Design and Applied Arts bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Arizona (10 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of ArizonaTucson$13,626$35,960*—$25,851*—
Grand Canyon UniversityPhoenix$17,450$38,976*—$27,000*0.69
Arizona State University Digital ImmersionScottsdale—$35,960*——*—
Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe$12,051$35,960*$56,707$21,500*0.60
Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff$12,652$33,964*$45,404$23,245*0.68
University of Advancing TechnologyTempe$19,430$30,640*—$27,895*0.91
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 University of Arizona, approximately 26% 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 5 similar programs in AZ. Actual outcomes may vary.