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Design and Applied Arts at Nassau Community College

Garden City, NY · Public · Associate Degree

with a mid-sized student body of 10,817 in Garden City, NY.

Program Analysis

Nassau Community College's Design and Applied Arts graduates start at $18,107/yr, trailing the $28,654 national average by 37%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 23.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Design and Applied Arts programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 38% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Design and Applied Arts graduates.

Ranked #77 of 92 Design and Applied Arts programs, Nassau Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $34,571 show a 91% jump from the $18,107 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

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

37 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
30
Low End
37
Score
39
High End
Earnings $18,107/yr (-37% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$318K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
25.1x
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)
$12,660
Out-of-state: $24,260
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,571
91% 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

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

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 Nassau Community College

Allied Health Professions ($81,810) Nursing ($81,214) Funeral Service & Mortuary Science ($44,695) Health Administration ($44,655) Medical Assisting ($40,754) Computer Science ($39,199) Accounting ($35,513) Legal Support Services ($32,464)

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 Nassau Community College?
A score of 37/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design and Applied Arts at Nassau Community College?
AI won't eliminate Design and Applied Arts careers, but it may reshape them. At Nassau Community College, a score of 37/100 already accounts for the 38% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
Why are Design and Applied Arts earnings lower at Nassau Community College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Are there apprenticeship options for Design and Applied Arts?
If Nassau Community 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.
Will Design and Applied Arts graduates from Nassau Community College find jobs?
At 101,000 annual openings, Design and Applied Arts has a very large employment base. Nassau 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 →