Design and Applied Arts at Academy of Art University
with a smaller student body of 4,131 in San Francisco, CA.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $26,478 track close to the $28,654 national median for Design and Applied Arts programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
At 7.9x the cost of tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.
AI exposure is significant at 38% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.
The $31,937 debt load exceeds a year of the $26,478 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.
At #73 out of 92 programs, Academy of Art University's financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth from $26,478 to $43,707 over five years (65% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.
With 9 registered apprenticeships mapped to Design and Applied Arts, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Design and Applied Arts graduates by median salary.
| Career Path | Median Salary | Growth | AI-ProofAI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art directors | $111,040 | +4.2% | 50% |
| Architecture teachers, postsecondary | $101,480 | +2.0% | 51% |
| Special effects artists and animators | $99,800 | +1.6% | 48% |
Design and Applied Arts Career Guide
Explore what Design and Applied Arts graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 92 programs nationwide.
Compare & Explore
Design and Applied Arts Overview
Design and Applied Arts at Other Schools
Other Majors at Academy of Art University
Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?
Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.