WhatGradsMake
Certificate (1-2 years)-14% vs national median125 grads tracked

Design and Applied Arts at Des Moines Area Community College

Ranked 16th of 22 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Design and Applied Arts by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$27,683
middle 50%: $21,280 – $37,683
Median · 5 years out
$37,592
middle 50%: $28,007 – $51,537
Median · 10 years out
n/a
not enough graduates to report

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Design and Applied Arts (certificate (1-2 years)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Des Moines Area Community College's certificate (1-2 years) program in Design and Applied Arts earn a median $27,683 one year after graduating, rising to $37,592 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 14% below the national median of $43,722 for this field, ranking 16th of 22 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
12.6 yrs
≈ $14,770 total interest

Same major at other universities

Columbus State Community College
$45,751 · 5 yrs out
Tunxis Community College
$43,722 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana - Region 2
$38,967 · 5 yrs out
Portland Community College
$38,771 · 5 yrs out
Lakeland Community College
$37,984 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana - Region 10
$37,935 · 5 yrs out
Western Iowa Tech Community College
$37,592 · 5 yrs out
Cuyahoga Community College
$34,840 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana - Region 12
$31,611 · 5 yrs out
Northwest College
$30,600 · 5 yrs out
SOWELA Technical Community College
$30,143 · 5 yrs out
Rend Lake College
$28,969 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Des Moines Area Community College

Fire Protection (Certificate)
$85,523 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Certificate)
$81,357 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$81,295 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Certificate)
$79,157 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Associate)
$78,843 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Associate)
$73,958 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Certificate)
$72,928 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Certificate)
$71,555 · 5 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Certificate)
$71,212 · 5 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Certificate)
$71,212 · 5 yrs out
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate)
$68,222 · 5 yrs out
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$68,098 · 5 yrs out

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