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Design and Applied Arts at Carthage College

Kenosha, WI · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,511/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #166 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 $570K $563K $525K
Earnings Multiple 3.9x 3.9x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 31 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$146,000
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$99,252
32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
9.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,354
56% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Carthage College's Design and Applied Arts program produces graduates earning $35,511/yr — within striking distance of the $33,862 national average for this field.

At 3.9x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 8% 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 $27,000 against $35,511/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #166 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places Carthage College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $35,511-to-$55,354 earnings arc over five years reflects a 56% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Carthage College

A 84% acceptance rate means Carthage College is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 2,628 students in Kenosha, WI. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $99,252 — 32% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Carthage College →

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 Carthage College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($74,265) Accounting and Related Services ($61,887) Finance and Financial Management Services ($58,543) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($53,555) Mathematics ($52,593) Marketing ($50,175) Special Education and Teaching ($48,593) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($47,185)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Design and Applied Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 31/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at Carthage College?
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 Carthage College?
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 →