Design and Applied Arts at Centenary University

Hackettstown, NJ · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
17 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
18
Optimistic
17
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,569/yr (-22% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #285 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 $427K $433K $420K
Earnings Multiple 2.8x 2.9x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 18 17 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$150,928
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$76,148
50% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
11.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,388
37% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Centenary University's Design and Applied Arts graduates start at $26,569/yr, trailing the $33,862 national average by 22%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The financial case is thin at 2.9x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Design and Applied Arts's typical career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 2% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,000 represents roughly 12 months of the $26,569 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #285 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, Centenary University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $26,569 to $36,388 over five years — a 37% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Centenary University

A 97% acceptance rate means Centenary University is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 934 students in Hackettstown, NJ. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $76,148 — 50% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Centenary 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

Design and Applied Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Centenary University

Explore the Trade Alternative

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Design and Applied Arts at Centenary University?
A score of 17/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Design and Applied Arts careers?
With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $420,116 in decade earnings vs $427,225 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Design and Applied Arts from Centenary University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →