Design and Applied Arts bachelor's degree programs in Pennsylvania
Compare 17 reporting programs using the same federal field and bachelor's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.
Highest reported earnings in Pennsylvania
Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.
1Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh · $24,500 federal debt$138,5882Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia · $27,000 federal debt$66,2943Temple UniversityPhiladelphia · $26,875 federal debt$60,7824Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphia · $27,000 federal debt$59,7315Susquehanna UniversitySelinsgrove · $27,000 federal debt$59,5516Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park · $26,000 federal debt$58,1057Pennsylvania State University-Penn State AltoonaAltoona · $26,000 federal debt$58,1058Pennsylvania College of TechnologyWilliamsport · $27,000 federal debt$53,7969Kutztown University of PennsylvaniaKutztown · $27,000 federal debt$53,31210Indiana University of PennsylvaniaIndiana · $27,000 federal debt$52,359
CAREER CONTEXT IN PA
What related occupations pay in Pennsylvania
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
- $77,280
- Middle 50% wage range
- $58,300–$94,300
- State employment
- 4,170
- Projected growth
- +2.2%
- Annual openings
- 8,000
27-1024Graphic Designers
- State median wage
- $60,730
- Middle 50% wage range
- $47,670–$80,480
- State employment
- 8,150
- Projected growth
- -1.7%
- Annual openings
- 16,000
27-1019Artists and Related Workers, All Other
- State median wage
- $86,260
- Middle 50% wage range
- $49,960–$122,930
- State employment
- 100
- Projected growth
- +2.0%
- Annual openings
- 1,100
27-1021Commercial and Industrial Designers
- State median wage
- $82,610
- Middle 50% wage range
- $61,040–$102,510
- State employment
- 770
- Projected growth
- +2.4%
- Annual openings
- 2,800
27-1029Designers, All Other
- State median wage
- $72,760
- Middle 50% wage range
- $60,740–$95,450
- State employment
- Not reported
- Projected growth
- +1.2%
- Annual openings
- 2,100
15-1255Web and Digital Interface Designers
- State median wage
- $104,160
- Middle 50% wage range
- $74,230–$129,220
- State employment
- 2,820
- Projected growth
- +6.0%
- Annual openings
- 8,300
27-1014Special Effects Artists and Animators
- State median wage
- $71,760
- Middle 50% wage range
- $57,490–$93,410
- State employment
- 300
- Projected growth
- -0.3%
- Annual openings
- 4,200
27-1027Set and Exhibit Designers
- State median wage
- $59,670
- Middle 50% wage range
- $51,110–$68,520
- State employment
- 120
- Projected growth
- +1.4%
- Annual openings
- 2,200
Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in Pennsylvania; 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 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh | $138,588 | $24,500 |
| 2 | Drexel University | Philadelphia | $66,294 | $27,000 |
| 3 | Temple University | Philadelphia | $60,782 | $26,875 |
| 4 | Thomas Jefferson University | Philadelphia | $59,731 | $27,000 |
| 5 | Susquehanna University | Selinsgrove | $59,551 | $27,000 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | University Park | $58,105 | $26,000 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona | Altoona | $58,105 | $26,000 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania College of Technology | Williamsport | $53,796 | $27,000 |
| 9 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | Kutztown | $53,312 | $27,000 |
| 10 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania | Indiana | $52,359 | $27,000 |
| 11 | York College of Pennsylvania | York | $52,222 | Not available |
| 12 | Albright College | Reading | $51,507 | $27,000 |
| 13 | Mercyhurst University | Erie | $45,411 | $27,000 |
| 14 | Robert Morris University | Moon Township | $43,698 | $27,000 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania Western University | California | $40,854 | $27,000 |
| 16 | Moore College of Art and Design | Philadelphia | $38,831 | $27,000 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania College of Art and Design | Lancaster | $38,275 | $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 Pennsylvania
What do Design and Applied Arts bachelor's degree graduates earn in Pennsylvania?
Across 17 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $53,312 four years after completion.
How much federal debt is reported for these programs?
The median is $27,000 among the 16 programs reporting federal debt.
Which Pennsylvania colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?
The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. Carnegie Mellon University has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.