Design and Applied Arts at Elgin Community College
Ranked 23rd of 32 certificate (under 1 year) programs in Design and Applied Arts by 5-year earnings.
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Design and Applied Arts (certificate (under 1 year)) graduates.
Graduates of Elgin Community College's certificate (under 1 year) program in Design and Applied Arts earn a median $25,338 one year after graduating, rising to $37,247 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 14% below the national median of $43,227 for this field, ranking 23rd of 32 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).