Design and Applied Arts at Bemidji State University

Bemidji, MN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
39
Optimistic
38
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,231/yr (19% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 11.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #116 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Design and Applied Arts graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $473K $475K $454K
Earnings Multiple 11.6x 11.7x 11.2x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 38 41
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$40,656
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$68,200
-68% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,908
6.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,819
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $40,231 at Bemidji State University come in 19% above the national median of $33,862 for Design and Applied Arts programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.7x 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 typical career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,908 represents roughly 7 months of the $40,231 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #116 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, Bemidji State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

About Bemidji State University

Bemidji State University accepts 71% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 3,120 in Bemidji, MN.

See all programs and financial aid at Bemidji State University →

Top Career Paths

Art directors $111,040/yr
Architecture teachers, postsecondary $101,480/yr
Special effects artists and animators $99,800/yr
View all 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Design and Applied Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Bemidji 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Design and Applied Arts at Bemidji State University?
A score of 38/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Design and Applied Arts careers?
With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $453,985 in decade earnings vs $472,979 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →