Design and Applied Arts at University of Evansville

Based on comparable Design and Applied Arts programs across Indiana, this bachelor's degree appears positioned right at the state median, with estimated first-year earnings around $35,400 and debt near $22,000. That 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates would dedicate roughly seven months of their first year's income to loan repayment—manageable compared to many creative fields, where debt often exceeds annual earnings. The estimated debt figure also runs about $5,000 below the national median for these programs, which matters when starting salaries in design fields rarely crack $40,000.

The challenge lies in what we can't see here. With data suppressed due to small graduate samples, we're relying entirely on how other Indiana design programs perform rather than tracking actual University of Evansville outcomes. The school's 78% admission rate and relatively low Pell enrollment (23%) suggest a small, private institution where individual program quality can vary significantly from state averages. In design fields especially—where portfolio development, industry connections, and faculty expertise drive outcomes—peer program data only tells you so much.

For anxious parents, the takeaway is this: the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value if they hold true, but you're investing without seeing this specific program's track record. Before committing, demand concrete placement data directly from the department: where do graduates actually work, and what do they earn? The university should have this information even if the Department of Education can't publish it.