WhatGradsMake
Associate-12% vs national median84 grads tracked

Design and Applied Arts at Great Falls College Montana State University

Ranked 91st of 124 associate programs in Design and Applied Arts by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$29,587
middle 50%: $22,385 – $39,242
Median · 5 years out
$37,984
middle 50%: $27,352 – $48,487
Median · 10 years out
$42,273
middle 50%: $30,620 – $56,170

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 Great Falls College Montana State University's associate program in Design and Applied Arts earn a median $29,587 one year after graduating, rising to $42,273 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 12% below the national median of $43,216 for this field, ranking 91st 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
11.6 yrs
≈ $13,721 total interest

Same major at other universities

Kingsborough Community College/CUNY
$38,649 · 5 yrs out
Illinois Central College
$38,605 · 5 yrs out
Chemeketa Community College
$38,509 · 5 yrs out
Terra State Community College
$38,509 · 5 yrs out
Northwest State Community College
$38,279 · 5 yrs out
Mohawk Valley Community College - SUNY Office of Community Colleges
$38,074 · 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
East Central College
$37,788 · 5 yrs out
Kilgore College
$37,592 · 5 yrs out
Oklahoma City Community College
$37,592 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Great Falls College Montana State University

Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate)
$62,818 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate)
$60,177 · 5 yrs out
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Associate)
$58,150 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Associate)
$57,867 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$56,401 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate)
$52,354 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Associate)
$49,935 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Associate)
$49,171 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$49,035 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Certificate)
$48,487 · 5 yrs out
Precision Metal Working (Certificate)
$48,487 · 5 yrs out
Data Processing (Associate)
$46,924 · 5 yrs out

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