Design and Applied Arts at Walla Walla University

Walla Walla's Design and Applied Arts program starts graduates nearly $11,000 below the state median—a significant gap in Washington, where this field typically pays better than the national average. While the debt load of $28,000 sits close to typical levels, first-year earnings of $28,436 create a concerning nearly 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio. For perspective, graduates from University of Washington earn more than double this amount in the same field, while even smaller programs like Western Washington produce median earnings of $31,000.

The program ranks in just the 25th percentile among Washington's 15 Design and Applied Arts programs, meaning three-quarters of comparable in-state options deliver better outcomes. This matters particularly for Washington families, since state schools like Washington State and even community colleges like Bellevue College show substantially stronger early earnings. The relatively low debt is the one bright spot here, but it doesn't offset starting a creative career at a significant earnings disadvantage.

One important caveat: this program graduates fewer than 30 students annually, so individual circumstances heavily influence these figures. That said, the pattern is clear enough for decision-making. If your child is set on this program at Walla Walla, they should have a concrete plan for how their specific design concentration will lead to employment, because the typical graduate faces an uphill climb compared to other Washington options.