Only 25 colleges in the country offer Crafts/Craft Design, which means graduates enter the workforce from a smaller, more specialized pool. Median earnings four years out: $38,992.
Crafts/Craft Design is a focused area of study within Visual & Performing Arts. Graduates typically earn around $38,992 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 25 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 102 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$25,027
Median Earnings · 4yr
$38,992
Colleges Offering
25
Graduates / Year
102
Avg Net Price / yr
$20,757
How Much Do Crafts/Craft Design Graduates Earn?
Crafts/Craft Design graduates earn $38,992 four years out, significantly below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $23,283 and $54,302. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $25,027 climbs to $38,992 by year four.
$25,027
1 Year After Graduation
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$38,992
4-Year National Median
Significantly below average. Graduate credentials or high-demand roles can raise this considerably.
$39,496
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a moderate earnings spread across Crafts/Craft Design graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.
$23,28325th pct.
$38,992Median
$54,30275th pct.
Is the Cost Worth It?
At median 4-year earnings of $38,992 and an estimated $83,028 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 9.2 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.
Based on outcomes from 15 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 102 students who complete Crafts/Craft Design programs each year, the majority (74%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
74%
Bachelor's74%
Certificate15%
Associate's11%
What Can You Do With a Crafts/Craft Design Degree?
Crafts/Craft Design connects to 1 occupations in the job market. Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary leads at $78,620/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Explain and demonstrate artistic techniques.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, performances, projects, assignments, and papers.
Prepare students for performances, exams, or assessments.
Top Colleges for Crafts/Craft Design
Only 8 colleges had enough verified data to appear here. Sorted by Crafts/Craft Design graduate volume, not selectivity.
Ranked by Crafts/Craft Design graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Visual & Performing Arts Programs
Crafts/Craft Design is one of 10 specializations within Visual & Performing Arts. The comparison below shows where this program ranks by 4-year median earnings.
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Crafts/Craft Design carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 2 strengths and 4 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
PROS
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $25,027 at graduation to $38,992 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Flexible credential pathsPrograms are available from certificate and associate levels through bachelor's and graduate degrees, giving students real options based on timeline and goals.
CONS
Below-average earningsFour-year median of $38,992 falls below the national median for bachelor's degree holders.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Slow job growthTop related careers project less than 3% growth over the next decade; limited expansion means more competition for new openings.
Long earnings breakevenAt median salary and average net price, recovering education costs versus a baseline wage takes roughly 9.2 years.
Crafts/Craft Design graduates earn a national median of $38,992 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $23,283 and $54,302. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Crafts/Craft Design degree?
One year after graduation, Crafts/Craft Design degree holders earn a median of $25,027. That climbs to $38,992 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Crafts/Craft Design degree?
Crafts/Craft Design degree holders pursue careers including Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, which pays a median of $78,620/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Crafts/Craft Design program take?
A Crafts/Craft Design bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Crafts/Craft Design?
25 colleges and universities in the United States offer Crafts/Craft Design programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Crafts/Craft Design degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $38,992 and an average net price of roughly $20,757/yr, a Crafts/Craft Design degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Crafts/Craft Design and Visual & Performing Arts?
Crafts/Craft Design is a focused concentration within the broader Visual & Performing Arts field. The Visual & Performing Arts major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Crafts/Craft Design-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Crafts/Craft Design graduates?
Employers hiring Crafts/Craft Design graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.
Related Visual & Performing Arts Programs
Other programs in Visual & Performing Arts. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
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