WhatGradsMake
Associate+1% vs national median139 grads tracked

Design and Applied Arts at Elgin Community College

Ranked 39th of 124 associate programs in Design and Applied Arts by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$34,935
middle 50%: $24,798 – $42,757
Median · 5 years out
$43,820
middle 50%: $31,905 – $56,877
Median · 10 years out
$54,757
middle 50%: $39,579 – $76,251

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Design and Applied Arts (associate) graduates.

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

Graduates of Elgin Community College's associate program in Design and Applied Arts earn a median $34,935 one year after graduating, rising to $54,757 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 1% above the national median of $43,216 for this field, ranking 39th of 124 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
9.3 yrs
≈ $10,950 total interest

Same major at other universities

Other majors at Elgin Community College

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