Is a Design Degree Worth It? (In-Depth Guide)
In today’s creative economy, design skills are highly sought-after across many industries.
From graphic design to industrial design to UX/UI design, professionals with design training can command high salaries and have ample career opportunities.
However, pursuing a design degree requires a significant investment of both time and money.
So the big question facing many prospective students is: is a design degree actually worth it?
The Costs of a Design Degree
- Tuition fees
- Cost of supplies and software
- Years spent not earning a full-time income
The Benefits of a Design Degree
- Development of technical skills
- Building an impressive portfolio
- Networking opportunities
- Preparation for design roles
Career Prospects for Design Graduates
- Salary expectations
- Job growth projections
- Employer demands
Alternatives to Getting a Design Degree
- Self-teaching
- Bootcamps
- Associate degrees
By weighing all these factors, you can determine whether investing in a design degree aligns with your career goals and financial capabilities.
The Costs of Pursuing a Design Degree
Earning a design degree is not cheap, so you need to seriously consider the costs before committing.
Here are the main expenses you’ll face:
Tuition Fees Can Run Tens of Thousands of Dollars Annually
Most design programs are offered at private colleges or universities, which carry huge price tags. Average annual tuition is:
- Graphic design: $35,000 at private schools, $10,000 at public schools
- UX/UI design: $36,000 at private schools, $9,500 at public schools
- Industrial design: $47,000 at private schools, $13,000 at public schools
So in total, you’ll pay between $80,000 to $150,000 to complete a 4-year design degree at a private university.
Opting for an in-state public school still costs $40,000 to $60,000.You can offset some costs with scholarships and financial aid.
But expect major student loan debt.
Design Students Face Steep Equipment and Software Costs
From drawing tablets to cameras to Adobe Creative Cloud subscriptions, design students must buy pricey gear and software.
These costs can tally over $2,000 per year.
Industrial design students face even bigger expenses for materials to build physical product prototypes.
You’ll Forego Years of Full-Time Earnings
Pursuing a 4-year design degree also means missing out on earnings during that time.
For recent high school graduates, that may not seem like much.
But for older career-changers, walking away from a full-time salary for years can be tough.
Or you may need to juggle both working and attending a part-time design program.
So tally the total price tag before diving in. While an investment in career advancement, design degrees require major financial sacrifices.
The Benefits of Earning a Design Degree
Of course, a design degree costs big bucks for good reason—it provides fundamental skills and knowledge you’ll use throughout your career.
Here are the top advantages:
You’ll Develop Technical Design Expertise
A design program teaches the software, tools, and best practices required in real-world jobs.
Depending on your concentration, you’ll gain skills like:
- Digital illustration and image manipulation
- Page layout using InDesign
- 3D modeling and prototyping
- UI wireframing and prototype building
- Motion graphics and animation
- Typography, color theory, and composition
This technical training prepares you for the daily work of design roles. Self-teaching such multifaceted skills takes major dedication.
You’ll Build an Impressive Professional Portfolio
A highlight of design programs is developing an amazing portfolio.
With guidance from expert instructors, you’ll conceptualize and execute a range of polished projects.This portfolio showcases your skills and aesthetics to employers.
It’s vital for landing internships and jobs.
Networking Opportunities Open Doors
In a competitive field like design, who you know matters. Design programs provide networking with:
- Influential faculty
- Guest lecturers from top firms
- Alumni working at major companies
- Fellow students who may become future colleagues
These connections offer inside leads on coveted internships and job openings.
You’ll Be Taken Seriously for Design Roles
While self-taught and bootcamp grads can succeed in design, many employers still prefer degree-holding candidates.
A design degree signals you have:
- A thorough grasp of visual principles
- Familiarity with industry-standard software
- Time management and collaboration skills from large projects
- Professional habits like meeting deadlines
So your resume will make the first cut more often.In competitive job markets like New York City or San Francisco, not having a design degree can be a barrier.
Career Prospects for Graduates With Design Degrees
When weighing the costs of a design program, expected future earnings matter enormously.
What salaries and job growth can design grads expect? How in-demand are their skills compared to similar roles that don’t require degrees?
Here’s a data-driven look at realistic career prospects across popular design specializations.
Graphic Design Degree
Graphic designers create visual concepts like logos, publications, packaging, and marketing materials. A bachelor’s degree is the standard credential for entering this field.
Salary Potential
According to PayScale, those with a bachelor’s in graphic design earn a median salary of $44,824 early in their careers.
With 5-10 years of experience, earnings jump to $59,178 on average.
Senior-level graphic designers make $75,302 per year. Art and creative directors with graphic design backgrounds earn $89,129.
Job Growth Outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts graphic design jobs will grow 3% from 2021-2031.
That pace is slower than the average across all occupations.
About 14,000 new graphic design openings are expected over the decade. Tougher competition is likely due to many qualified candidates.
Employer Demands
Most graphic design jobs require applicants to hold 2- or 4-year degrees specializing in design or art.
Some companies may accept those without degrees who have exceptional portfolios. But a degree remains the typical credential baseline.
UX/UI Design Degree
UX designers map out user experiences for products/services. UI designers then bring those experiences to life through visual interfaces.
Salary Potential
User experience design grads with 0-5 years of experience earn median pay of $77,200 per PayScale. Salaries rise to $102,427 for those with 5-10 years under their belts.
Senior UX designers make $118,799 on average. UX managers and directors can earn $153,000 or more.
Job Growth Outlook
BLS predicts very rapid 33% growth for UX roles through 2031—3X the national average!
Why such huge demand?
As companies deliver more digital experiences, they need UX experts to make them intuitive and engaging.
An extra 66,600 UX jobs are expected.
Employer Demands
While UX degrees are preferred, some employers hire candidates with backgrounds in psychology, computer science, or related fields.
Applicable skills and knowledge can outweigh degrees.
But at big tech firms and agencies, UX applicants without degrees often won’t make it past resume screening.
Degrees signal deeper training in areas like user research and testing.
Industrial Design Degree
Industrial designers develop the form, ergonomics, and styling of manufactured products like medical devices, furniture, appliances, and consumer electronics.
Most industrial designers hold bachelor’s or master’s degrees specializing in the field.
Salary Potential
The median salary for early career industrial designers is $58,156 according to PayScale. With 5-10 years of experience, industrial designers earn $71,745 on average.
Senior industrial designers make a median of $91,245 annually.
Job Growth Outlook
BLS forecasts 4% growth for industrial design roles through 2031—in line with average job market growth.
Roughly 1,700 openings for industrial designers are expected over the decade.
Employer Demands
The vast majority of industrial design jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree in industrial design or related engineering fields.
Applicants without degrees typically won’t be considered.
Advanced degrees like master’s in industrial design are preferred for senior positions and increase competitiveness.
Alternatives to Getting a Design Degree
Pursuing a traditional 4-year design degree isn’t the only path forward. You can still break into design through:
Self-Teaching
With abundant online tutorials, some people teach themselves design software, principles, and best practices.
But mastering the array of technical skills needed for professional work is extremely challenging through self-directed learning alone.
However, strong self-learners who curate quality resources can build impressive portfolios and compete for some junior roles.
Bootcamps
Accelerated training programs like General Assembly offer full-time design bootcamps taking 3-12 months.
Focusing on in-demand skills like UX and coding, grads have found success landing related roles.
Shorter and cheaper than degrees, bootcamps pose tradeoffs. Coverage of principles and theory can be lacking. Being self-driven is essential. Career support varies widely.
Outcomes ultimately depend on your motivation, natural talent, and work produced. While no magic bullet, bootcamps let determined learners switch careers faster.
Associate Degrees
Community colleges and technical schools offer 2-year graphic design, UX design, and other associate degrees.
Costing far less than bachelor’s programs, these provide a more affordable stepping stone to starting your career.
However, graduates from 2-year programs compete for many of the same entry-level jobs as those with bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Pay and senior roles may remain harder to attain long-term without further education.
Key Takeaways: Is a Design Degree Worth It for You?
Despite huge costs, a design degree delivers immense value if:
- You want rigorous technical training to excel in visual arts and design
- You plan to work at top design firms where degrees are expected
- You have financial assistance to avoid massive debt
With strategic networking and skill-building, graduates gain a major edge landing rewarding roles in growth fields like UX and UI design.However, a design degree is tough to justify if:
- You must take on excessive loans without sufficient earning potential
- You don’t plan to work in a highly competitive design market
- You already have related skills and experience
Carefully weigh all these factors against your career aspirations and financial situation. An informed cost-benefit analysis will clarify if pursuing a design degree makes good sense.
FAQs About Earning Design Degrees:
Does a design degree limit your job options?
Not at all. A design degree qualifies you for diverse creative roles like:
Graphic design: Brand identity designer, publication designer, packaging designer, art director, creative director
UX design: UX designer/researcher, UI designer, UX writer, UX manager, UX analyst
Industrial design: Product designer, transportation designer, exhibit designer, environmental design, manufacturing roles
A design degree also provides transferable skills useful for illustration, photography, marketing, teaching, and entrepreneurship careers.
Are all design degrees equally valuable?
No design degree is necessarily better or worse. But programs do vary widely in factors like:
- Reputation and networking
- Specific concentrations offered
- Internship and job placement results
- Caliber of student portfolios and faculty
- Cost and financial aid availability
So researching the merits of individual schools is important to find your best fit.
Can I get a design job without a degree?
It’s rare but possible. Exceptional self-taught designers and bootcamp grads have been hired by startups and agencies. But lacking a design degree does limit options with major companies.
Degrees become even more crucial as you advance to higher-paying senior roles. Alternatives like associate programs, apprenticeships, and certifications can also aid entry.
Ultimately you must demonstrate sharp skills through standout portfolio pieces and interview performances. Push further by showcasing drive, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.
What design jobs are most accessible without a bachelor’s degree?
You’ll face the fewest degree requirements becoming a:
- Production artist
- Graphic design assistant
- Associate UI designer
- UX researcher assistant
- Exhibit/set designer
With some experience, those stepping stone jobs allow moving up over time or pursuing additional education.
Should I study design abroad?
Studying design overseas provides amazing cultural immersion and travel opportunities. Programs in Europe and Asia often cost far less than American private schools too.
However, curriculum and instruction quality varies dramatically. Carefully vet international programs on factors like resources, career help, and graduate outcomes.
