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Design and Applied Arts at Madison Area Technical College

Madison, WI · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 9,273 students in Madison, WI.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $30,710/yr, edging above the $28,654 national average for Design and Applied Arts — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

The 33.6x 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 risk is moderate — 38% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Design and Applied Arts graduates.

At $12,120 in median debt against $30,710 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #36 out of 92 programs, Madison Area Technical College's Design and Applied Arts offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

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

48 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
48
Score
50
High End
Earnings $30,710/yr (7% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$321K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
33.6x
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)
$9,560
Out-of-state: $14,054
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,120
4.7 months of Year 1 earnings

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

What can you do with a Design and Applied Arts credential from Madison Area Technical College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

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 Madison Area Technical College

Nursing ($66,446) Computer Networking ($65,324) Software Development ($65,191) Allied Health Professions ($62,646) Dental Assisting ($59,139) Allied Health Professions ($57,005) IT Management ($54,784) Clinical Laboratory Science ($54,717)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Design and Applied Arts degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Design and Applied Arts at Madison Area Technical College?
A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
What's the AI risk for Design and Applied Arts graduates from Madison Area Technical College?
Our scenarios model 38% of Design and Applied Arts tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Madison Area Technical College's 48/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Design and Applied Arts program at Madison Area Technical College?
Beyond Madison Area Technical 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.
What's the job market like for Design and Applied Arts from Madison Area Technical College?
At 101,000 annual openings, Design and Applied Arts has a very large employment base. Madison Area Technical 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 →