Associate Degrees in Design & Applied Arts
Education Levels of Design Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 7,578 people earned their associate degree in design. This earns it the #19 spot on the list of the most popular associate degree programs in the nation.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in design at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 19,777 |
| Associate Degree | 7,578 |
| Basic Certificate | 4,459 |
| Undergraduate Certificate | 2,420 |
| Master’s Degree | 1,688 |
| Graduate Certificate | 77 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 20 |
Earnings of Design Majors With Associate Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding an associate degree in design is $26,540. However, this can depend on a number of factors, such as where you live and the number of years experience you have. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $22,147 to a high of $32,083.
Student Debt
The median student debt for graduates holding an associate degree in design is $27,342. The school you go to and how long it takes you to graduate, among other things, can cause this number to vary. The chart below shows the range of accumulated debt loads. On the high side of the range, $48,989 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $21,499.
The median monthly payment of a design graduate with a 10-year repayment plan is $325.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their associate degree in design. About 67.7% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 2,448 |
| Women | 5,130 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of design associate degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 560 |
| Black or African American | 642 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,644 |
| White | 3,747 |
| International Students | 361 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 624 |
Most Popular Design Programs for Associate Degrees
There are 494 colleges that offer an associate degree in design. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
Fashion Institute of Technology tops the list of the most popular school in the U.S. for design majors who are seeking their associate degree. Each year, around 8,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,170 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,542 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 763 people received their associate degree in design from FIT SUNY. About 79% of this group were women, and 48% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Fashion Institute of Technology design graduates who receive their associate degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $26,540.
FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles comes in at #2 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in design. Roughly 1,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $31,725 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $42,090 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 256 people received their associate degree in design from FIDM Los Angeles. About 80% of this group were women, and 47% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their associate degree in design at FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles make a median salary of 26,540.
Utah Valley University is the 3rd most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in design. Roughly 40,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,614 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,152 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 161 people received their associate degree in design from UVU. Around 14% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 70% were women. Those who complete their associate degree in design at Utah Valley University make a median salary of 26,540.
The New School comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in design. Each year, around 9,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $54,995 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $51,702 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 128 people received their associate degree in design from New School University. About 83% of this group were women, and 27% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their associate degree in design at The New School make a median salary of 26,540.
The 5th most popular school in the country for design majors who are seeking their associate degree is Portland Community College. Each year, around 22,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 98 people received their associate degree in design from Portland Community College. About 70% of this group were women, and 32% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Portland Community College design graduates who receive their associate degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $26,540.
Madison Area Technical College is the 6th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in design. Roughly 13,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,386 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $4,386 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 94 people received their associate degree in design from Madison College. Of these students, 64% were women and 14% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their associate degree in design at Madison Area Technical College make a median salary of 26,540.
Wake Technical Community College comes in at #7 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in design. Roughly 21,700 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 91 people received their associate degree in design from Wake Technical Community College. About 42% of this group were women, and 30% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Wake Technical Community College graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $26,540.
The 8th most popular school in the country for design majors who are seeking their associate degree is Montgomery College. Roughly 20,000 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 89 people received their associate degree in design from Montgomery College. About 54% of this group were women, and 64% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Montgomery College graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $26,540.
Full Sail University comes in at #8 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in design. Roughly 24,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $26,417 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,401 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 89 people received their associate degree in design from Full Sail University. About 70% of this group were women, and 44% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their associate degree in design at Full Sail University make a median salary of 26,540.
The 10th most popular school in the country for design majors who are seeking their associate degree is Metropolitan Community College. Each year, around 13,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 79 people received their associate degree in design from MCC. Of these students, 75% were women and 30% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Metropolitan Community College design graduates who receive their associate degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $26,540.
Ivy Tech Community College is the 11th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in design. Roughly 63,800 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 78 people received their associate degree in design from Ivy Tech Community College. Around 29% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 61% were women. Ivy Tech Community College design graduates who receive their associate degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $26,540.
Miami Dade College comes in at #12 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in design. Roughly 46,500 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 77 people received their associate degree in design from MDC. About 55% of this group were women, and 89% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their associate degree in design at Miami Dade College make a median salary of 26,540.
Kingsborough Community College is the 13th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in design. Roughly 15,100 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 76 people received their associate degree in design from KCC. Of these students, 42% were women and 74% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Kingsborough Community College design graduates who receive their associate degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $26,540.
El Centro College comes in at #14 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in design. Roughly 74,700 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 74 people received their associate degree in design from El Centro College. About 70% of this group were women, and 71% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their associate degree in design at El Centro College make a median salary of 26,540.
Macomb Community College comes in at #15 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in design. Each year, around 16,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 72 people received their associate degree in design from Macomb Community College. Data shows that Macomb Community College graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $26,540.
The 16th most popular school in the country for design majors who are seeking their associate degree is Central Piedmont Community College. Each year, around 16,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 68 people received their associate degree in design from Central Piedmont Community College. Of these students, 52% were women and 26% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Central Piedmont Community College design graduates who receive their associate degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $26,540.
Johnson County Community College comes in at #17 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in design. Each year, around 13,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 66 people received their associate degree in design from JCCC. About 68% of this group were women, and 20% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Johnson County Community College design graduates who receive their associate degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $26,540.
The 18th most popular school in the country for design majors who are seeking their associate degree is Northern Virginia Community College. Each year, around 52,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 63 people received their associate degree in design from Northern Virginia Community College. Of these students, 70% were women and 42% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Northern Virginia Community College design graduates who receive their associate degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $26,540.
Salt Lake Community College comes in at #19 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in design. Roughly 27,200 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 62 people received their associate degree in design from Salt Lake Community College. About 90% of this group were women, and 31% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their associate degree in design at Salt Lake Community College make a median salary of 26,540.
Collin County Community College District comes in at #19 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in design. Each year, around 35,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 62 people received their associate degree in design from Collin County Community College District. About 53% of this group were women, and 46% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their associate degree in design at Collin County Community College District make a median salary of 26,540.
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Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to design that offer associate degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Fine & Studio Arts | 4,447 |
| Music | 1,952 |
| General Visual & Performing Arts | 1,740 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | 1,531 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | 1,478 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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