Design and Applied Arts at University of Northern Iowa

University of Northern Iowa's Design and Applied Arts program outperforms most competitors—both nationally and within Iowa—despite the state's relatively modest design market. With first-year earnings of $38,637, graduates here earn more than three-quarters of design programs nationwide and beat Iowa's state median by over $4,000. The $25,100 debt load translates to a manageable 0.65 ratio, meaning graduates owe less than two-thirds of their starting salary.

The real strength shows up in the trajectory: earnings climb 18% to $45,719 by year four, suggesting graduates are building sustainable careers rather than hitting quick plateaus. Among Iowa's 17 design programs, UNI ranks second only to Iowa State while charging significantly less in typical debt. For an in-state student, that combination of strong placement and reasonable cost makes this one of the better bets in the region.

The moderate sample size and UNI's open admission (94% acceptance rate) mean your student won't face cutthroat competition to enter the program, though success still depends on developing marketable skills. If they're serious about design and planning to stay in the Midwest, this program delivers solid returns without the crushing debt that plagues many art-school graduates. The earnings advantage over Iowa's median persists even after accounting for cost of living.