Location: Green Bay, WI•In-State Tuition: $8,342•Out-of-State Tuition: $16,929•Admission Rate: 88%•Avg SAT: 1090
Median Earnings (1yr)
$32,991
47th percentile
40th percentile in Wisconsin
Median Debt
$18,186
32% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.55 ManageableSample: 29 graduates Limited data

Analysis

UW-Green Bay's Design and Applied Arts program produces starting salaries around $33,000—slightly below both national and Wisconsin medians for this field. More concerning is how it compares to other Wisconsin programs: at the 40th percentile statewide, graduates here earn about $3,200 less than the state median and lag significantly behind UW-Madison ($49,780), UW-Stevens Point ($41,243), and UW-Stout ($40,615). The earnings gap doesn't close over time either, with four-year salaries reaching only $35,270.

The program's one clear advantage is low debt. At $18,186, graduates borrow about $8,000 less than typical Wisconsin design students, resulting in a manageable 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio. This means the lower starting salary won't be compounded by heavy loan payments. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes these figures less reliable—actual outcomes could vary significantly.

For Wisconsin families, the math is straightforward: you're trading lower earnings potential for lower debt. If your child is considering design, it's worth understanding why UW-Stout and Stevens Point graduates earn 15-25% more. Those programs may offer stronger industry connections, better facilities, or more specialized training that translates to higher-paying opportunities right out of school.

Where University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all design and applied arts bachelors's programs nationally

University of Wisconsin-Green BayOther design and applied arts programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How University of Wisconsin-Green Bay graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay earns $33k — 47th percentile among design and applied arts bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay$32,991$35,270+7%
University of Wisconsin-Madison$49,780$51,862+4%
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design$28,801$47,768+66%
University of Wisconsin-Stout$40,615$47,390+17%
Carthage College$35,511$42,358+19%

Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin

Design and Applied Arts bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (20 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of Wisconsin-Green BayGreen Bay$8,342$32,991$35,270$18,1860.55
University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison$11,205$49,780$51,862$20,8750.42
University of Wisconsin-Stevens PointStevens Point$8,834$41,243—$23,6840.57
University of Wisconsin-StoutMenomonie$10,142$40,615$47,390$27,0000.66
Saint Norbert CollegeDe Pere$44,432$37,856—$27,0000.71
University of Wisconsin-ParksideKenosha$7,855$36,920—$27,0000.73
National Median—$33,563—$26,8800.80

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with design and applied arts graduates

Art Directors

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.

$111,040/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

$99,800/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web and Digital Interface Designers

Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Video Game Designers

Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in architecture and architectural design, such as architectural environmental design, interior architecture/design, and landscape architecture. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Fashion Designers

Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.

$80,690/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Commercial and Industrial Designers

Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.

$79,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Set and Exhibit Designers

Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

$66,280/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Interior Designers

Plan, design, and furnish the internal space of rooms or buildings. Design interior environments or create physical layouts that are practical, aesthetic, and conducive to the intended purposes. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design.

$63,490/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Graphic Designers

Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.

$61,300/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Artists and Related Workers, All Other

All artists and related workers not listed separately.

$56,260/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, approximately 23% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 29 graduates with reported earnings and 29 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.