Design and Applied Arts at Front Range Community College

Westminster, CO · Public · Certificate

enrolling 11,132 students in Westminster, CO.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $21,397/yr fall 25% below the $28,654 national median for Design and Applied Arts. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 47.2x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Design and Applied Arts career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #46 ranking among 92 Design and Applied Arts programs places Front Range Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The 9 apprenticeship pathways connected to Design and Applied Arts reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

44 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
44
Score
46
High End
Earnings $21,397/yr (-25% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$224K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
47.2x
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)
$4,740
Out-of-state: $16,974

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 Front Range Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Front Range Community College's Design and Applied Arts program score?
This program scores 44/100 — on the lower end for Design and Applied Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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. Front Range Community College's 44/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Can you still earn well with Design and Applied Arts from Front Range Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Front Range Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Design and Applied Arts through an apprenticeship instead of Front Range Community College?
Beyond Front Range Community College's classroom route, 9 registered apprenticeships map to Design and Applied Arts careers — including Bank-Note Designer. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Is there demand for Design and Applied Arts workers?
At 101,000 annual openings, Design and Applied Arts has a very large employment base. Front Range Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →