Design and Applied Arts
Bachelor's degree · Columbia College Chicago · Chicago, IL
How this program compares
Graduates of the bachelor's degree program in Design and Applied Arts at Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $29,630 one year after completing the program. Nationally, bachelor's degree graduates in this field earn a median of $51,490 four years after graduating (middle half: $33,006–$70,612). Median debt is $24,500, about 83% of first-year earnings.
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's degree) at other Illinois schools
| College | Earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois State University Normal | $39,287 | $24,375 |
| Judson University Elgin | $37,466 | — |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign | $34,670 | $18,178 |
| University of Illinois Chicago Chicago | $34,377 | $22,881 |
| Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford | $32,482 | $29,332 |
| DePaul University Chicago | $30,536 | $27,000 |
| North Central College Naperville | $28,037 | $22,000 |
| Dominican University River Forest | $22,938 | $26,344 |
| Bradley University Peoria | $22,893 | — |
| Roosevelt University Chicago | $19,028 | $25,048 |
Highest-paying Design and Applied Arts programs nationwide →
Other programs at Columbia College Chicago
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$34,798 - Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesMaster's degree
$33,972 - American Sign LanguageBachelor's degree
$33,775 - JournalismBachelor's degree
$31,369 - Graphic CommunicationsBachelor's degree
$26,309 - Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherBachelor's degree
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$25,060 - Radio, Television, and Digital CommunicationBachelor's degree
$24,191 - Film/Video and Photographic ArtsBachelor's degree
$23,905 - Arts, Entertainment, and Media ManagementBachelor's degree
$23,844 - Fine and Studio ArtsBachelor's degree
$22,765 - Audiovisual Communications Technologies/TechniciansBachelor's degree
$20,927 - MusicBachelor's degree
$19,943 - Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftBachelor's degree
$17,929 - Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherMaster's degree
$28,877 - DanceBachelor's degree
$25,046
Frequently asked questions
How much do Design and Applied Arts graduates from Columbia College Chicago make?
The median salary is $29,630 one year after graduation and $46,082 after five years.
How much student debt do graduates have?
Graduates who borrowed federal loans owe a median of $24,500.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release (Field of Study data). Earnings are for graduates who received federal financial aid.