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Design and Applied Arts at CUNY LaGuardia Community College

Long Island City, NY · Public · Associate Degree

with a mid-sized student body of 10,556 in Long Island City, NY.

Program Analysis

CUNY LaGuardia Community College's Design and Applied Arts graduates start at $13,554/yr, trailing the $28,654 national average by 53%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 21.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

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.

At #82 out of 92 programs, CUNY LaGuardia Community College's financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $13,554 to $21,605 over five years (59% 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.

35 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
29
Low End
35
Score
37
High End
Earnings $13,554/yr (-53% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$238K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
22.8x
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 (In-State)
$10,436
Out-of-state: $16,196
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$21,605
59% 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

Design and Applied Arts opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Design and Applied Arts career guide →

Compare & Explore

Design and Applied Arts Overview

View all 92 schools offering Design and Applied Arts →

Design and Applied Arts at Other Schools

Gnomon ($80,221) Miami Ad School-Atlanta ($56,833) Miami Ad School ($56,833) Interior Designers Institute ($52,768) The New School ($44,640) Century College ($43,778) Austin Community College District ($40,289) Minneapolis Community and Technical College ($40,230)

Other Majors at CUNY LaGuardia Community College

Nursing ($75,260) Allied Health Professions ($68,603) Practical Nursing ($56,230) Veterinary Technology ($50,281) Medical Assisting ($40,463) Legal Support Services ($36,358) Business Administration ($29,953) Audio & Video Technology ($29,299)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Design and Applied Arts degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Design and Applied Arts at CUNY LaGuardia Community College?
This program scores 35/100 — on the lower end for Design and Applied Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
What's the AI risk for Design and Applied Arts graduates from CUNY LaGuardia Community College?
The 38% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — CUNY LaGuardia Community College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is CUNY LaGuardia Community College a good choice for Design and Applied Arts despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at CUNY LaGuardia Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Design and Applied Arts through an apprenticeship instead of CUNY LaGuardia Community College?
Yes — 9 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Design and Applied Arts career paths, including Bank-Note Designer. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at CUNY LaGuardia Community College.
Will Design and Applied Arts graduates from CUNY LaGuardia Community College find jobs?
The very large job market (101,000 annual openings) works in favor of Design and Applied Arts graduates. The national outlook is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →