Design and Applied Arts at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

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.