Design at California College of the Arts
San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Design and Applied Arts
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
23
Optimistic
22
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings
$28,673/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk
High (38% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI
2.9x earnings multiple
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 | $682K | $666K | $609K |
| Earnings Multiple | 2.9x | 2.9x | 2.6x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 63% | 57% | 46% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 23 | 22 | 31 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$231,784
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
11.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,146
117% growth from Year 1
About California College of the Arts
California College of the Arts has a 73% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 1,004 students in San Francisco, CA.
See all programs and financial aid at California College of the Arts →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 California College of the Arts
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 does a 22/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design at California College of the Arts?
At 22/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Design programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design at California College of the Arts?
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 College of the Arts a good choice for Design despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If California College of the Arts'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 →