WhatGradsMake
Associate-13% vs national median89 grads tracked

Design and Applied Arts at East Central College

Ranked 95th of 124 associate programs in Design and Applied Arts by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$24,664
middle 50%: $19,181 – $29,704
Median · 5 years out
$37,788
middle 50%: $28,036 – $48,258
Median · 10 years out
$47,574
middle 50%: $30,926 – $61,827

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 East Central College's associate program in Design and Applied Arts earn a median $24,664 one year after graduating, rising to $47,574 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 13% below the national median of $43,216 for this field, ranking 95th 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
11.5 yrs
≈ $14,440 total interest

Same major at other universities

Northwest State Community College
$38,279 · 5 yrs out
Mohawk Valley Community College - SUNY Office of Community Colleges
$38,074 · 5 yrs out
Great Falls College Montana State University
$37,984 · 5 yrs out
Columbus State Community College
$37,935 · 5 yrs out
Honolulu Community College
$37,897 · 5 yrs out
Delgado Community College
$37,834 · 5 yrs out
Kilgore College
$37,592 · 5 yrs out
Oklahoma City Community College
$37,592 · 5 yrs out
Parkland College
$37,285 · 5 yrs out
Hawkeye Community College
$36,985 · 5 yrs out
Onondaga Community College
$36,903 · 5 yrs out
Sullivan County Community College - SUNY Office of Community Colleges
$36,903 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at East Central College

Engineering (Associate)
$80,230 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Associate)
$80,230 · 5 yrs out
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$77,901 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$73,728 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Associate)
$67,570 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$66,034 · 5 yrs out
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$62,818 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Certificate)
$61,167 · 5 yrs out
Precision Metal Working (Associate)
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$59,673 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Associate)
$58,574 · 5 yrs out
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Associate)
$58,574 · 5 yrs out

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