WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's+7% vs national median1,398 grads tracked

Design and Applied Arts at Clemson University

Ranked 29th of 135 bachelor's programs in Design and Applied Arts by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$47,642
middle 50%: $37,407 – $57,666
Median · 5 years out
$62,363
middle 50%: $49,965 – $77,643
Median · 10 years out
$76,731
middle 50%: $58,385 – $105,850

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Design and Applied Arts (bachelor's) graduates.

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

Graduates of Clemson University's bachelor's program in Design and Applied Arts earn a median $47,642 one year after graduating, rising to $76,731 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 7% above the national median of $58,393 for this field, ranking 29th of 135 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
6.5 yrs
≈ $7,337 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Michigan
$63,572 · 5 yrs out
University of North Texas
$63,192 · 5 yrs out
Purdue University
$62,852 · 5 yrs out
Illinois State University
$62,818 · 5 yrs out
Weber State University
$62,818 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at New Paltz
$62,579 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University
$62,306 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Commerce
$61,926 · 5 yrs out
Portland State University
$61,827 · 5 yrs out
Winthrop University
$61,827 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$61,756 · 5 yrs out
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
$61,375 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Clemson University

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$151,716 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$141,351 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$138,614 · 5 yrs out
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs (Bachelor's)
$133,128 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$124,978 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$123,290 · 5 yrs out
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields (Doctorate)
$110,498 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Master's)
$109,693 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$105,918 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$105,528 · 5 yrs out
Industrial Engineering (Certificate)
$103,837 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Certificate)
$103,837 · 5 yrs out

Related fields of study

Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management
Compare universities
Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry
Compare universities
Dance
Compare universities
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Compare universities
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
Compare universities
Fine and Studio Arts
Compare universities