Design and Applied Arts at Palm Beach State College

Lake Worth, FL · Public · Associate Degree

serving a student body of 20,532 in Lake Worth, FL.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Palm Beach State College's Design and Applied Arts program earn $36,768/yr in their first year — 28% above the $28,654 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 63.1x 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 #10 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.

59 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
59
Score
61
High End
Earnings $36,768/yr (28% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$385K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
63.1x
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)
$6,100
Out-of-state: $21,820

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 Palm Beach State 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 Palm Beach State College?
This program scores 59/100, 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 Palm Beach State College?
AI won't eliminate Design and Applied Arts careers, but it may reshape them. At Palm Beach State College, a score of 59/100 already accounts for the 38% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
Why does Palm Beach State College rank so high for Design and Applied Arts?
Ranked #10 of 92 programs nationally, Palm Beach State 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?
There are 9 registered apprenticeships connected to Design and Applied Arts occupations, such as Bank-Note Designer and Commercial Designer. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
What's the job market like for Design and Applied Arts from Palm Beach State College?
With approximately 101,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Design and Applied Arts offers a very large employment pool. Palm Beach State College graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →