Design and Applied Arts at University of Kansas

University of Kansas's Design and Applied Arts program shows one of the better earnings trajectories in the field, with graduates jumping from $37,508 to $50,894 over four years—a 36% gain that outpaces the typical flat or modest growth seen in many arts programs. That $50,894 four-year mark puts real distance between KU graduates and both the Kansas median ($35,549) and national median ($33,563), suggesting the program's connections or curriculum translate into stronger career momentum than most alternatives.

The $26,000 debt load sits right at the state median and just below the national benchmark, yielding a manageable 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one. Within Kansas, only Kansas State produces notably higher earnings at $43,992, though that comparison lacks the four-year data to see if KU's growth trajectory might close the gap. For families weighing in-state options, KU delivers middle-of-the-pack starting salaries but stronger upward mobility than the state's other thirteen programs.

The moderate sample size means some year-to-year volatility is possible, but the overall pattern is encouraging: graduates aren't stuck in the low-$30,000s range that plagues many arts degrees. If your student is committed to this field and considering Kansas schools, KU offers a reasonable balance of manageable debt and earnings that actually improve rather than stagnate.