Program Analysis
Graduates earn $33,921/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 12.0x 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 4% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $20,076 represents roughly 7 months of the $33,921 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
At #132 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, University of Central Missouri scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Earnings grow from $33,921 to $42,852 over five years — a 26% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.