CollegeCostWise

Bachelor's · Altoona, Pennsylvania

Is Design and Applied Arts at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona worth it?

Low confidence Low confidence: fewer than 40 graduates behind the earnings figures.

The verdict · all families, in-state, half paid with loans

Pays back in time: graduates typically recover the cost in about 6.7 years.

Earnings 1 year after graduating
$45,011
Treasury AY2020-21, AY2021-22 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Earnings 4 years after graduating
$62,412
Treasury AY2017-2018, AY2018-2019 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Typical federal debt at graduation
$22,648
NSLDS pooled AY2022-23, AY2023-24 cohort
Net cost to graduate, all families
$92k (likely $92k – $121k)
AcadYr 2024-25, reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
Earnings bump, year 4
$23k a year vs high-school graduates aged 25–34 in PA
2023 ACS 5-year pooled, adjusted to 2024 dollars
Payback
6.7 years (likely 4.8–10.0)
Bump vs net cost plus loan interest
10-year net return
−$71k (likely −$168k – $39k)
Today's dollars
20-year net return
$222k (likely $8k – $482k)
Today's dollars
Odds of finishing (school-wide)
16%
Fall 2019 or AcadYr 2019-20 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26

Change income, residency or loans Compare Design and Applied Arts at other schools

🎨 Getting ready in high school

Students heading toward art, design & performance majors like this one often take these classes. Every school offers a different mix, so check with your counselor.

AP classes

  • AP 2-D Art and Design
  • AP Drawing
  • AP Art History
  • AP Music Theory

IB Higher Level

  • Visual Arts HL
  • Music HL or Theatre HL or Film HL

Build my roadmap 🗺️ Middle school to career, plus high schools near you that offer these classes.

Other majors at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona

Design and Applied Arts at other schools in Pennsylvania