Design and Applied Arts at Webster University

Webster University's Design and Applied Arts program reports first-year earnings of just $20,257—roughly 40% below what graduates earn at similar programs elsewhere in Missouri. Within the state, this program ranks in the bottom 10th percentile, trailing not just private competitors like Maryville ($39,623) but also public options like Missouri State ($33,695) and University of Central Missouri ($33,921). Nationally, the picture is equally troubling, with earnings in just the 5th percentile among the 678 schools offering this degree.

The debt burden adds another layer of concern. At $25,550, graduates owe more than an entire year's starting salary, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.26 that will strain most budgets. While the sample size here is small—fewer than 30 graduates—these numbers align with a pattern that's hard to ignore when comparing against other Missouri programs with similar debt loads but substantially higher earnings.

For parents evaluating this program, the question is stark: why would you pay for outcomes that place your child in the bottom tenth statewide? Unless Webster offers unique resources or connections that aren't reflected in these earnings figures, the financial return simply doesn't justify the investment when stronger alternatives exist within Missouri's borders.