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Peru State College offers the most affordable Design and Applied Arts program in Nebraska at just $11,401 net cost, creating a dramatic $21,000 gap between the cheapest and most expensive options. While graduation rates vary significantly across the eight programs, ranging from 37% to 80%, the earnings potential remains surprisingly consistent between $36,674 and $38,289. Nebraska's growing tech sector and major employers like Mutual of Omaha provide design opportunities beyond traditional agricultural markets.
8
Programs
$11,401 – $32,380
Net Price Range
$37,482
Avg. Program Earnings
57.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

8 Design and Applied Arts Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $11,401 $8,280 37.7%
2 $15,108 $7,970 55.7%
3 $17,424 $10,108 65.8% 78.6%
4 $20,884 $27,990 45.9% 98.8%
5 $24,016 $39,330 64.1% 90.8%
6 $28,071 $40,491 55.9% 75.8%
7 $28,345 $8,886 55.9%
8 $32,380 $47,000 80.5% 75.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge cost difference between Design and Applied Arts programs in Nebraska?

Public institutions like Peru State College ($11,401) and Wayne State College ($15,108) offer significantly lower costs compared to private schools such as Creighton University ($32,380). The $21,000 gap reflects different funding models, with public schools receiving state subsidies that private institutions cannot access.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Nebraska?

Higher-cost programs generally show better graduation rates, with Creighton University achieving 80.5% at $32,380 compared to Peru State's 37.7% at $11,401. However, Wayne State College breaks this pattern by combining a low $15,108 cost with a solid 55.7% graduation rate.

Where do Design and Applied Arts graduates typically find employment in Nebraska?

Nebraska's insurance giants like Mutual of Omaha and Berkshire Hathaway need designers for marketing materials and digital interfaces. The state's growing tech sector and agricultural companies also require graphic design, web design, and user experience specialists with median earnings around $37,000 to $38,000.

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.