Home › California State University-Monterey Bay › Design and Applied Arts

Design and Applied Arts at California State University-Monterey Bay

Seaside, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
43
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,378/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 20.0x earnings multiple (7.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #78 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 $604K $595K $551K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.3x 20.0x 18.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.8x 7.7x 7.1x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 43 52

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,748
Out-of-state: $77,268 (7.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$57,948
-95% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,902
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,342
85% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-Monterey Bay's Design and Applied Arts program produces graduates earning $30,378/yr — within striking distance of the $33,862 national average for this field.

With a 20.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 9% 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,902 in median debt clears quickly against $30,378 in annual earnings.

A #78 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places California State University-Monterey Bay in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $30,378-to-$56,342 earnings arc over five years reflects a 85% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Monterey Bay

A 95% acceptance rate means California State University-Monterey Bay is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 5,811 in Seaside, CA. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Monterey Bay →

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 State University-Monterey Bay

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($117,088) Computer Science ($71,458) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($47,825) Human Services, General ($37,501) Hospitality Administration/Management ($35,760) Biology, General ($35,312) Social Sciences, General ($34,678) International/Global Studies ($34,246)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Design and Applied Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 43/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at California State University-Monterey Bay?
At 43/100, 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 State University-Monterey Bay?
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 →