Design and Applied Arts at University of North Texas

UNT's Design and Applied Arts program starts graduates at $33,867—about $5,000 below the Texas median for similar programs and in the 40th percentile statewide. That's a meaningful gap when peer programs at UT Austin, Texas State, and Sam Houston all deliver first-year earnings above $39,000. But here's what changes the calculation: this program shows 31% earnings growth by year four, reaching $44,263, which puts graduates essentially on par with those from the state's top-ranked programs.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $22,288, graduates carry about $3,000 less than the typical Texas design student and considerably less than the national average. That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66—manageable even at the lower starting salary. The combination of reasonable debt and strong earnings acceleration means graduates who can weather the first few years financially end up in a solid position.

For families, the key question is whether your student can handle that slower financial start. UNT admits nearly three-quarters of applicants and serves a significant population of Pell-eligible students, suggesting it may be a realistic option where UT Austin isn't. If your child can live affordably post-graduation—perhaps at home initially—and values UNT's campus culture, this program delivers comparable mid-career outcomes to pricier alternatives. But if minimizing financial stress in those crucial first working years matters most, the higher-earning Texas programs justify closer consideration.