Design
Visual & Performing Arts · federal classification: Design and Applied Arts
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $38,351 | $27,090 to $50,687 | 29 | 72% |
| Associate's Degree | $37,248 | $32,268 to $41,563 | 104 | 59% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $51,496 | $42,752 to $59,691 | 328 | 91% |
| Master's Degree | $69,930 | $60,023 to $80,986 | 25 | 92% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +2% (2024 to 2034), about 101,000 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designers | $61,300 | +2.1% | 20,000 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $78,490 | +1.8% | 13,500 |
| Photographers | $42,520 | +1.8% | 12,700 |
| Art Directors | $111,040 | +4.2% | 12,300 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $98,090 | +7% | 9,100 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,190 | +1.7% | 9,000 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, and the same occupations serve many majors, so these are the jobs this major commonly leads to, not positions reserved for its graduates; the openings should not be added up across majors.
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.