What is the starting salary for Industrial Design graduates in Jacksonville?

The estimated starting salary for Industrial Design graduates in Jacksonville, FL is $58,500 per year, adjusted for the local cost of living index of 117. The national average starting salary for this major is $50,000. Salaries in Jacksonville are 17% higher than the national average due to cost of living differences.

Is a Industrial Design degree worth it in Jacksonville?

A Industrial Design degree in Jacksonville has an estimated ROI payback period of 3.8 years, with a projected lifetime return of $541,964 after subtracting education costs. With 35 colleges in the area and average public tuition of $6,394/year, Jacksonville offers affordable options for this degree. The local unemployment rate of 4.5% and the major's national unemployment rate of 3.5% should also factor into your decision.

How much does it cost to study Industrial Design in Jacksonville?

The average annual public university tuition in Jacksonville is $6,394, while private universities average $26,965/year. Including room and board ($10,215/year), total 4-year costs range from $66,436 at a public school to $148,720 at a private institution. Average financial aid per student in Jacksonville is $14,539/year.

What jobs can Industrial Design graduates get in Jacksonville?

Industrial Design graduates in Jacksonville can pursue careers as Industrial Designer, Product Designer, Design Strategist. Key skills valued by local employers include CAD/3D Modeling, Prototyping, Sketching, User Research. The Jacksonville job market features Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies among the top hiring sectors for this field. National top employers include Apple, IDEO, Samsung.

How long to pay off student loans for Industrial Design in Jacksonville?

With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Industrial Design graduates in Jacksonville would pay $754/month on an estimated $66,436 in loans, with $24,088 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $1,300/month but save $12,530 in interest. With a COL-adjusted starting salary of $58,500, monthly payments would represent 15% of gross monthly income.

Industrial Design Degree in Jacksonville, FL — Salary & ROI 2026

Industrial Design degree analysis for Jacksonville, FL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$59K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$96K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

3.8 yrs

in Jacksonville

Cost of Living

117

index (100 = avg)

Industrial Design in Jacksonville, FL Overview

Jacksonville is one of Florida's top college towns, with 35 institutions and a student population of 36,092. Public tuition averages $6,394/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Industrial Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in CAD/3D Modeling and Prototyping. The adjusted starting salary in Jacksonville is approximately $58,500, growing to $95,940 by mid-career.

Industrial Design Salary in Jacksonville (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Jacksonville's cost of living index of 117 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$58,500(+$8,500 vs national)

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

$95,940(+$13,940 vs national)

Senior Level (15+ yrs)

$117,000(+$17,000 vs national)

Note: National average Industrial Design salary: $50,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Jacksonville adjustment factor: 1.17x based on the local cost of living index.

Industrial Design ROI Calculator for Jacksonville

Estimate your return on investment for a Industrial Design degree using local Jacksonville tuition and cost of living data.

Annual Tuition ($)

Public avg: $6,394 | Private avg: $26,965

Years of Study

Annual Financial Aid ($)

Jacksonville avg aid: $14,539/yr

Student Loan Rate (%)

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$66,436

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$17,550

vs HS diploma in Jacksonville

ROI Payback Period

3.8 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Jacksonville

$541,964

Lifetime earnings premium ($608,400) minus total education cost ($66,436)

Student Loan Payoff for Industrial Design in Jacksonville

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$66,436

Monthly Payment$754

Total Interest$24,088

% of Monthly Income15%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$66,436

Monthly Payment$1,300

Total Interest$11,558

Interest Savings$12,530

Colleges in Jacksonville for Industrial Design

University of North Florida

public

$6,394/yr

$25,576 total

Jacksonville University

private

$39,280/yr

$157,120 total

Edward Waters University

private

$14,650/yr

$58,600 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Florida State College at Jacksonville

$3,100/yr

Top Employers for Industrial Design in Jacksonville

Jacksonville offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Industrial Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:

AppleIDEOSamsungDysonTesla

Key Jacksonville Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design

Design agencies

Studios

Tech companies

Advertising firms

Media companies

Common Industrial Design Job Titles

Industrial DesignerProduct DesignerDesign Strategist

Industrial Design in Nearby Florida Cities

Miami, FL

$49K starting · COL 98

12 colleges

Tampa, FL

$51K starting · COL 101

26 colleges

Orlando, FL

$48K starting · COL 96

16 colleges

St. Petersburg, FL

$49K starting · COL 97

22 colleges

Hialeah, FL

$39K starting · COL 78

22 colleges

Port St. Lucie, FL

$49K starting · COL 98.5

8 colleges

Tallahassee, FL

$45K starting · COL 89

11 colleges

Cape Coral, FL

$49K starting · COL 97.8

7 colleges

Other Arts & Design Majors in Jacksonville

UX Design

$59K starting · 3.2 yr ROI

Architecture

$68K starting · 5.5 yr ROI

Animation & Game Design

$59K starting · 4.8 yr ROI

Graphic Design

$56K starting · 5.5 yr ROI

Interior Design

$59K starting · 5.8 yr ROI

Fashion Design

$59K starting · 6.5 yr ROI

Film & Media Studies

$59K starting · 7.5 yr ROI

Fine Arts

$59K starting · 9 yr ROI

Methodology & Education Data Sources

How we calculate Industrial Design degree outcomes in Jacksonville, FL: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.

Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Industrial Design programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Florida.
Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Jacksonville using regional CPI data.
10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
Job market outlook for Industrial Design graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.

Authoritative US education data sources:

IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Industrial Design career projections
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Industrial Design grads

Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.

Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release

Financial Aid Resources for Jacksonville Students

Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Florida students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:

📋 Federal Aid (FAFSA)

Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):

🏛️ State Grants (Florida)

State-specific grants stack with federal aid:

• USA.gov — Florida programs
• NASFAA — State Aid Programs
• Search "florida higher education commission grants"

🎓 College Outcomes Data

Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:

• College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
• NCES College Navigator
• IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center

💰 Scholarship Search

Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:

2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.

Industrial Design Degree in Jacksonville — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

Explore More

Compare Industrial Design ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Jacksonville.

Industrial Design Overview Colleges in Jacksonville All Majors