Design and Applied Arts bachelor's degree programs in North Carolina
Compare 9 reporting programs using the same federal field and bachelor's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.
Highest reported earnings in North Carolina
Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.
1High Point UniversityHigh Point · Debt not reported$61,6352North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh · $20,500 federal debt$61,3823Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee · $29,911 federal debt$58,4674East Carolina UniversityGreenville · $25,000 federal debt$57,2555University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro · $26,000 federal debt$55,3946Appalachian State UniversityBoone · $21,500 federal debt$53,5437Queens University of CharlotteCharlotte · $27,000 federal debt$52,8708North Carolina A&T State UniversityGreensboro · $29,958 federal debt$46,0779William Peace UniversityRaleigh · $24,978 federal debt$40,817
CAREER CONTEXT IN NC
What related occupations pay in North Carolina
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
- $73,800
- Middle 50% wage range
- $55,390–$84,710
- State employment
- 2,880
- Projected growth
- +2.2%
- Annual openings
- 8,000
27-1024Graphic Designers
- State median wage
- $58,450
- Middle 50% wage range
- $46,710–$74,410
- State employment
- 5,660
- Projected growth
- -1.7%
- Annual openings
- 16,000
27-1019Artists and Related Workers, All Other
- State median wage
- $81,850
- Middle 50% wage range
- $68,420–$106,330
- State employment
- 80
- Projected growth
- +2.0%
- Annual openings
- 1,100
27-1021Commercial and Industrial Designers
- State median wage
- $80,620
- Middle 50% wage range
- $61,750–$102,000
- State employment
- 1,000
- Projected growth
- +2.4%
- Annual openings
- 2,800
27-1029Designers, All Other
- State median wage
- $51,740
- Middle 50% wage range
- $40,880–$76,340
- State employment
- 120
- Projected growth
- +1.2%
- Annual openings
- 2,100
15-1255Web and Digital Interface Designers
- State median wage
- $97,990
- Middle 50% wage range
- $63,920–$133,860
- State employment
- 3,400
- Projected growth
- +6.0%
- Annual openings
- 8,300
27-1014Special Effects Artists and Animators
- State median wage
- $88,350
- Middle 50% wage range
- $62,530–$105,260
- State employment
- 370
- Projected growth
- -0.3%
- Annual openings
- 4,200
27-1027Set and Exhibit Designers
- State median wage
- $49,410
- Middle 50% wage range
- $42,370–$60,150
- State employment
- Not reported
- Projected growth
- +1.4%
- Annual openings
- 2,200
Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in North Carolina; 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 | High Point University | High Point | $61,635 | Not available |
| 2 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Raleigh | $61,382 | $20,500 |
| 3 | Western Carolina University | Cullowhee | $58,467 | $29,911 |
| 4 | East Carolina University | Greenville | $57,255 | $25,000 |
| 5 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro | $55,394 | $26,000 |
| 6 | Appalachian State University | Boone | $53,543 | $21,500 |
| 7 | Queens University of Charlotte | Charlotte | $52,870 | $27,000 |
| 8 | North Carolina A&T State University | Greensboro | $46,077 | $29,958 |
| 9 | William Peace University | Raleigh | $40,817 | $24,978 |
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 North Carolina
What do Design and Applied Arts bachelor's degree graduates earn in North Carolina?
Across 9 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $55,394 four years after completion.
How much federal debt is reported for these programs?
The median is $25,000 among the 8 programs reporting federal debt.
Which North Carolina colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?
The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. High Point University has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.