Design and Applied Arts bachelor's degree programs in Illinois
Compare 13 reporting programs using the same federal field and bachelor's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.
Highest reported earnings in Illinois
Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.
1University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign · $18,839 federal debt$65,1862Illinois State UniversityNormal · $24,986 federal debt$61,6283Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale · Debt not reported$61,4934Bradley UniversityPeoria · Debt not reported$60,8885Loyola University ChicagoChicago · Debt not reported$59,9286University of Illinois ChicagoChicago · $25,750 federal debt$59,1887North Central CollegeNaperville · $22,000 federal debt$57,1928DePaul UniversityChicago · $27,000 federal debt$55,2139Columbia College ChicagoChicago · $27,000 federal debt$48,60110Dominican UniversityRiver Forest · $26,978 federal debt$47,930
CAREER CONTEXT IN IL
What related occupations pay in Illinois
These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.
25-1121Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
- State median wage
- $62,960
- Middle 50% wage range
- $47,230–$85,620
- State employment
- 4,170
- Projected growth
- +2.2%
- Annual openings
- 8,000
27-1024Graphic Designers
- State median wage
- $62,560
- Middle 50% wage range
- $47,530–$81,320
- State employment
- 8,960
- Projected growth
- -1.7%
- Annual openings
- 16,000
27-1029Designers, All Other
- State median wage
- $77,460
- Middle 50% wage range
- $66,940–$96,460
- State employment
- 30
- Projected growth
- +1.2%
- Annual openings
- 2,100
15-1255Web and Digital Interface Designers
- State median wage
- $85,710
- Middle 50% wage range
- $67,580–$129,810
- State employment
- 2,050
- Projected growth
- +6.0%
- Annual openings
- 8,300
27-1014Special Effects Artists and Animators
- State median wage
- $81,180
- Middle 50% wage range
- $67,230–$108,640
- State employment
- 630
- Projected growth
- -0.3%
- Annual openings
- 4,200
25-1031Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary
- State median wage
- $104,580
- Middle 50% wage range
- $83,370–$126,720
- State employment
- 230
- Projected growth
- +2.6%
- Annual openings
- 700
27-1011Art Directors
- State median wage
- $103,550
- Middle 50% wage range
- $79,820–$134,680
- State employment
- 2,960
- Projected growth
- +4.2%
- Annual openings
- 12,200
27-1025Interior Designers
- State median wage
- $76,290
- Middle 50% wage range
- $59,870–$93,090
- State employment
- 2,570
- Projected growth
- +2.7%
- Annual openings
- 7,700
Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in Illinois; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.
ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS
Compare every available outcome
Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.
| # | College | City | Median year-4 earnings | Median federal debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign | $65,186 | $18,839 |
| 2 | Illinois State University | Normal | $61,628 | $24,986 |
| 3 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Carbondale | $61,493 | Not available |
| 4 | Bradley University | Peoria | $60,888 | Not available |
| 5 | Loyola University Chicago | Chicago | $59,928 | Not available |
| 6 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago | $59,188 | $25,750 |
| 7 | North Central College | Naperville | $57,192 | $22,000 |
| 8 | DePaul University | Chicago | $55,213 | $27,000 |
| 9 | Columbia College Chicago | Chicago | $48,601 | $27,000 |
| 10 | Dominican University | River Forest | $47,930 | $26,978 |
| 11 | Rasmussen University-Illinois | Rockford | $46,610 | $35,438 |
| 12 | Lewis University | Romeoville | $45,704 | Not available |
| 13 | Roosevelt University | Chicago | $29,529 | $27,000 |
This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.
A quick read on Design and Applied Arts in Illinois
What do Design and Applied Arts bachelor's degree graduates earn in Illinois?
Across 13 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $57,192 four years after completion.
How much federal debt is reported for these programs?
The median is $26,978 among the 9 programs reporting federal debt.
Which Illinois colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?
The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.