Design at Appalachian State University
Boone, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Design and Applied Arts
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
54
Pessimistic
Earnings
$34,722/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk
High (38% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI
18.7x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Design graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $569K | $563K | $525K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 18.9x | 18.7x | 17.4x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.8x | 5.7x | 5.3x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 63% | 57% | 46% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 47 | 46 | 54 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,164
Out-of-state: $98,148 (5.7x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,435
7.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,970
58% growth from Year 1
About Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University has a 89% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 19,304 in Boone, NC.
See all programs and financial aid at Appalachian State University →Top Career Paths
Art directors
$111,040/yr
Architecture teachers, postsecondary
$101,480/yr
Special effects artists and animators
$99,800/yr
Compare & Explore
Design at Other Schools
Other Majors at Appalachian State University
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Appalachian State University's Design program score?
This program scores 46/100 — on the lower end for Design. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Design to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Design careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 38% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Appalachian State University rank so high for Design?
The #58 ranking out of 290 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →