Design and Applied Arts at Clary Sage College

Tulsa, OK · Private nonprofit · Certificate

with a smaller student body of 367 in Tulsa, OK.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $17,889 place Clary Sage College below the $28,654 national median for Design and Applied Arts — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

AI risk is moderate — 38% task exposure — and the 1% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Design and Applied Arts graduates.

The $10,453 debt-to-$17,889 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #70 out of 92 programs, Clary Sage College's financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $17,889 to $18,781 over five years (5% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

With 9 registered apprenticeships mapped to Design and Applied Arts, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

39 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
35
Low End
39
Score
41
High End
Earnings $17,889/yr (-38% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$189K
1.2% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$10,453
7.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$18,781
5% 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

Explore what Design and Applied Arts graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 92 programs nationwide.

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 Clary Sage College

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 Clary Sage College?
A score of 39/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
How vulnerable is Design and Applied Arts to AI automation?
Our scenarios model 38% of Design and Applied Arts tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Clary Sage College's 39/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Why are Design and Applied Arts earnings lower at Clary Sage College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Clary Sage College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Design and Applied Arts?
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 Clary Sage College?
With approximately 101,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Design and Applied Arts offers a very large employment pool. Clary Sage College graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →