Design and Applied Arts at Virginia Western Community College
Associate's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How Virginia Western Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Virginia Western Community College graduates earn $31k, placing them in the 71th percentile of all design and applied arts associates programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia
Design and Applied Arts associates's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (5 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Western Community College | $31,440 | $33,618 | $13,625* | — |
| Northern Virginia Community College | $33,232 | — | $18,250* | 0.55 |
| Tidewater Community College | $22,935 | $26,209 | $12,320* | 0.54 |
| National Median | $27,846 | — | $14,454* | 0.52 |
Other Design and Applied Arts Programs in Virginia
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Virginia schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Virginia Community College Annandale | $5,703 | $33,232 | $18,250 |
| Tidewater Community College Norfolk | $5,714 | $22,935 | $12,320 |
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 Virginia Western Community College, approximately 30% 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 20 graduates with reported earnings and 10 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.