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Design and Applied Arts at Cedarville University

Cedarville, OH · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
31
Optimistic
31
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,768/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #162 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 $549K $544K $510K
Earnings Multiple 3.8x 3.8x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 31 31 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$144,312
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$100,088
31% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,000
7.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,239
49% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Cedarville University's Design and Applied Arts graduates start at $35,768/yr — above the $33,862 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 3.8x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 38% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,000 debt-to-$35,768 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #162 out of 290 programs, Cedarville University's financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $35,768 to $53,239 shows 49% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Cedarville University

Cedarville University's 63% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 3,815 students in Cedarville, OH. After financial aid, the average student pays $100,088 over four years — 31% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Cedarville 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 Cedarville University

Computer Science ($76,615) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($70,276) Mechanical Engineering ($69,178) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($69,047) Finance and Financial Management Services ($60,880) Accounting and Related Services ($57,656) Marketing ($45,025) Bible/Biblical Studies ($42,572)

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

How does Cedarville University's Design and Applied Arts program score?
This program scores 31/100 — on the lower end for Design and Applied Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Design and Applied Arts to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Design and Applied Arts careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 38% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →