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Design and Applied Arts at California Baptist University

Riverside, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
23 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
24
Optimistic
23
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,669/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #236 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 $390K $399K $392K
Earnings Multiple 2.5x 2.5x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 24 23 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$158,880
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$109,536
31% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
10.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $28,669/yr fall 15% below the $33,862 national median for Design and Applied Arts. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

At 2.5x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The -1% 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.

At $26,000 against $28,669/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #236 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places California Baptist University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About California Baptist University

California Baptist University has a 74% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 7,914 students in Riverside, CA. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity. After financial aid, the average student pays $109,536 over four years — 31% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at California Baptist 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 California Baptist University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($92,441) Computer Engineering ($75,087) Civil Engineering ($73,497) Mechanical Engineering ($72,224) Public Administration ($68,682) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($64,987) Accounting and Related Services ($57,485) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($55,001)

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 23/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at California Baptist University?
At 23/100, 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 California Baptist 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.
Is California Baptist University a good choice for Design and Applied Arts despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If California Baptist University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →