Design and Applied Arts at Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo

Buffalo, NY · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree

a compact campus enrolling 656 students in Buffalo, NY.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $25,506/yr, roughly in line with the $28,654 national median for Design and Applied Arts. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 10.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Design and Applied Arts programs nationally.

The 39% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 38% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Design and Applied Arts graduates.

Median debt of $15,417 represents roughly 7 months of the $25,506 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

Ranked #75 of 92 Design and Applied Arts programs, Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $39,599 show a 55% jump from the $25,506 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

Design and Applied Arts offers 9 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

37 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
32
Low End
37
Score
39
High End
Earnings $25,506/yr (-11% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$440K
11.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
11.5x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
14 of 14
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$38,252
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,417
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,599
55% growth from Year 1

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%
Art directors
$111,040
+4.2% growth 50% AI-proof
Architecture teachers, postsecondary
$101,480
+2.0% growth 51% AI-proof
Special effects artists and animators
$99,800
+1.6% growth 48% AI-proof

View all 14 career paths with full salary data →

Design and Applied Arts Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Design and Applied Arts careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering arts & design.

Read the full Design and Applied Arts career guide →

Compare & Explore

Design and Applied Arts Overview

Design and Applied Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Design and Applied Arts at Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo?
A score of 37/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design and Applied Arts at Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo?
AI won't eliminate Design and Applied Arts careers, but it may reshape them. At Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo, a score of 37/100 already accounts for the 38% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Design and Applied Arts graduates?
There are 9 registered apprenticeships connected to Design and Applied Arts occupations, such as Bank-Note Designer and Commercial Designer. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
What's the job market like for Design and Applied Arts from Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo?
The career paths mapped to Design and Applied Arts have roughly 101,000 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →