Program Analysis
Graduates earn $33,695/yr, roughly in line with the $33,862 national median for Design and Applied Arts. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Design and Applied Arts programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Design and Applied Arts's typical career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 1% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $25,750 represents roughly 9 months of the $33,695 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #150 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, Missouri State University-Springfield falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $37,505 are relatively flat compared to the $33,695 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.