Design and Applied Arts at Miami Dade College

Miami, FL · Public · Associate Degree

serving a student body of 35,001 in Miami, FL.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $30,466/yr, edging above the $28,654 national average for Design and Applied Arts — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 56.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Design and Applied Arts programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Design and Applied Arts's career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

At #20 of 92 nationally, this is a top-5% Design and Applied Arts program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

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

53 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
51
Low End
53
Score
55
High End
Earnings $30,466/yr (6% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$319K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
56.2x
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)
$5,676
Out-of-state: $19,322

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 Miami Dade College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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 Miami Dade College?
At 53/100, Miami Dade College's Design and Applied Arts program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
What's the AI risk for Design and Applied Arts graduates from Miami Dade College?
With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $318,741 in decade earnings vs $318,741 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Miami Dade College's Design and Applied Arts program stand out?
Ranked #20 of 92 programs nationally, Miami Dade College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Design and Applied Arts graduates?
Beyond Miami Dade 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?
Job availability for Design and Applied Arts is strong — 101,000 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Miami Dade College graduates specifically, local market conditions in FL may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →