WhatGradsMake
Associate-11% vs national median165 grads tracked

Design and Applied Arts at South Plains College

Ranked 83rd of 124 associate programs in Design and Applied Arts by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$28,418
middle 50%: $21,871 – $35,786
Median · 5 years out
$38,668
middle 50%: $28,692 – $50,197
Median · 10 years out
$48,829
middle 50%: $36,789 – $64,666

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 South Plains College's associate program in Design and Applied Arts earn a median $28,418 one year after graduating, rising to $48,829 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 11% below the national median of $43,216 for this field, ranking 83rd 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
10.9 yrs
≈ $13,339 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Cincinnati
$39,163 · 5 yrs out
Amarillo College
$39,021 · 5 yrs out
Midlands Technical College
$38,967 · 5 yrs out
Dutchess Community College
$38,907 · 5 yrs out
Colorado Mountain College
$38,829 · 5 yrs out
Owens Community College
$38,787 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana - Region 10
$38,668 · 5 yrs out
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

Other majors at South Plains College

Engineering (Associate)
$90,582 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Associate)
$90,582 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Associate)
$87,772 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Associate)
$87,772 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Certificate)
$86,981 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Certificate)
$86,981 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$81,251 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$78,278 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$72,172 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Associate)
$70,298 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Certificate)
$67,403 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$66,891 · 5 yrs out

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