Design and Applied Arts at Upper Iowa University

Upper Iowa's Design and Applied Arts program struggles to justify its $39,780 debt burden, which is nearly $13,000 above both the national and Iowa medians for this field. First-year graduates earn $31,122—below the state median of $34,344 and ranking in just the 40th percentile among Iowa programs. When University of Northern Iowa graduates in the same field earn $38,637 and Iowa State graduates earn $37,565, the gap is substantial enough that parents should carefully weigh alternatives.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.28 means graduates face debt totaling more than a full year's salary, a difficult position for a creative field where early-career earnings are already modest. While design careers can build over time through portfolio development and client relationships, starting $8,000 behind your peers at other Iowa schools makes that trajectory harder. The program's small size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty—these numbers might not reflect typical outcomes.

For families considering this program, the math points toward exploring other Iowa options first. The financial difference between this program and the state's stronger alternatives isn't marginal—it could mean thousands of dollars in breathing room during those crucial early career years when designers are building their practice.