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Design and Applied Arts at Black Hills State University

Spearfish, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,022/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 11.5x earnings multiple (8.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #164 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs

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 $407K $414K $405K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.3x 11.5x 11.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.4x 8.6x 8.4x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 31 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,000
Out-of-state: $48,400 (8.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$68,004
-89% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $31,022 track close to the $33,862 national median for Design and Applied Arts programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 11.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Design and Applied Arts career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

A #164 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places Black Hills State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Black Hills State University

Black Hills State University has a 94% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 1,935 in Spearfish, SD.

See all programs and financial aid at Black Hills 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

Compare this program → View all 290 schools offering Design and Applied Arts →

Design and Applied Arts at Other Schools

Carnegie Mellon University ($66,274) University of Southern California ($64,846) University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($63,449) University of California-Los Angeles ($57,615) Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($52,694) University of Cincinnati-Main Campus ($52,526) Utah State University ($52,431) Interior Designers Institute ($51,188)

Other Majors at Black Hills State University

Special Education and Teaching ($49,134) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($47,978) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($47,494) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($45,682) Community Organization and Advocacy ($39,092) Psychology, General ($35,996) Health and Physical Education/Fitness ($34,142) Biology, General ($33,518)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Design and Applied Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 31/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at Black Hills State University?
At 31/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Design and Applied Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design and Applied Arts at Black Hills State University?
The 38% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →