Design and Applied Arts at Western Oregon University

Western Oregon's Design and Applied Arts program produces earnings of just $23,583 in the first year—roughly $8,500 below Oregon's median for design graduates and nearly $10,000 below the national benchmark. Among design programs statewide, this ranks in only the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of Oregon schools deliver better outcomes. Compare that to Oregon State's $35,614 or Portland State's $35,304, and the gap becomes stark. The debt load of $24,625 is slightly below average, but when paired with such low earnings, it creates a nearly 1:1 debt-to-income ratio that will feel heavy on an entry-level creative salary.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) suggests these numbers could swing dramatically year to year, making them less reliable as predictors. However, even accounting for variability, the earnings gap is too wide to ignore. Western Oregon serves a predominantly lower-income student body (40% on Pell grants) with open admission, which may contribute to these outcomes if students face employment barriers beyond just their degree.

For families seeking a design education in Oregon, this program appears to underperform its in-state competitors significantly. Unless there are compelling personal reasons to attend Western Oregon specifically—proximity to home, unique faculty relationships, or guaranteed scholarship money that dramatically reduces debt—students interested in design should strongly consider the state universities that consistently produce 50% higher first-year earnings.