Design and Applied Arts at Minneapolis Community and Technical College

Minneapolis, MN · Public · Associate Degree

with a smaller student body of 4,816 in Minneapolis, MN.

Program Analysis

Minneapolis Community and Technical College Design and Applied Arts graduates command $40,230/yr out of the gate, well above the $28,654 national median. That 40% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 34.3x 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $12,000 in median debt clears fast against $40,230 in annual earnings.

Ranked #18 out of 92 programs, Minneapolis Community and Technical College's Design and Applied Arts program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

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

54 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
51
Low End
54
Score
56
High End
Earnings $40,230/yr (40% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$40K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple
34.3x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
14 of 14
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition
$12,256
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$32,939
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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 Minneapolis Community and Technical College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Minneapolis Community and Technical College's Design and Applied Arts program score?
This program scores 54/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts graduates.
What's the AI risk for Design and Applied Arts graduates from Minneapolis Community and Technical College?
The 38% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Minneapolis Community and Technical College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
How affordable is Design and Applied Arts at Minneapolis Community and Technical College?
Median debt of just $12,000 against $40,230/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 4 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Is Minneapolis Community and Technical College one of the best schools for Design and Applied Arts?
Ranked #18 of 92 programs nationally, Minneapolis Community and Technical College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Design and Applied Arts program at Minneapolis Community and Technical College?
If Minneapolis Community and Technical College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 9 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Design and Applied Arts. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
How many job openings are there for Design and Applied Arts graduates?
The career paths mapped to Design and Applied Arts have roughly 101,000 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →