Associate+10% vs national median187 grads tracked
Design and Applied Arts at Hennepin Technical College
Ranked 19th of 124 associate programs in Design and Applied Arts by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$36,710
middle 50%: $26,226 – $48,867
Median · 5 years out
$47,521
middle 50%: $34,916 – $61,482
Median · 10 years out
$54,898
middle 50%: $43,554 – $76,330
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
Design and Applied Arts graduates in Minnesota see a median starting salary of $37k. Earnings reach $55k by year ten.
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
8.8 yrs
≈ $10,135 total interest
Same major at other universities
Austin Community College
$48,617 · 5 yrs out
Tunxis Community College
$48,487 · 5 yrs out
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
$48,066 · 5 yrs out
Nassau Community College
$47,939 · 5 yrs out
Community College of Denver
$47,802 · 5 yrs out
Portland Community College
$47,631 · 5 yrs out
Salt Lake Community College
$47,297 · 5 yrs out
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology - Okmulgee
$47,119 · 5 yrs out
Housatonic Community College
$47,119 · 5 yrs out
Triton College
$46,948 · 5 yrs out
Houston Community College
$46,803 · 5 yrs out
Arapahoe Community College
$46,784 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Hennepin Technical College
Computer Software and Media Applications (Certificate)
$89,177 · 5 yrs out
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Certificate)
$88,109 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$87,772 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Associate)
$85,997 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Certificate)
$84,761 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Associate)
$83,557 · 5 yrs out
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$80,540 · 5 yrs out
Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$77,819 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Certificate)
$77,603 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Associate)
$77,316 · 5 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Certificate)
$76,944 · 5 yrs out
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$76,823 · 5 yrs out