Design and Applied Arts at University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame's design program graduates earn nearly $47,000 in their first year—40% above the national median and significantly ahead of Purdue's Main Campus, the next-best option in Indiana. While the program carries moderate debt of $20,250, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 is manageable, especially for graduates from a highly selective institution where earnings trajectory matters. By year four, median earnings jump to nearly $66,000, a 41% increase that suggests strong career progression in creative fields where Notre Dame's brand and alumni network provide real advantages.

The Indiana context is striking: this program ranks in the 80th percentile statewide, outperforming established art schools by substantial margins. For design students committed to staying in the Midwest or working with major brands (many of which recruit heavily from Notre Dame), this combination of immediate earning power and growth potential is rare. The moderate sample size means individual outcomes will vary, but the pattern is consistent with Notre Dame's broader placement success.

For families weighing whether a selective private university makes sense for a design degree—a field often associated with lower starting salaries—this program offers compelling evidence that institutional prestige translates to concrete financial outcomes. You're looking at top-5% national earnings with debt levels below many less selective alternatives.