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Design and Applied Arts at Central Connecticut State University

New Britain, CT · Public · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
40
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,930/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 11.0x earnings multiple (5.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #96 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 $552K $547K $512K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.1x 11.0x 10.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.4x 5.3x 5.0x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 40 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$49,840
Out-of-state: $102,944 (5.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,740
-32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
7.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,222
52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Central Connecticut State University's Design and Applied Arts program produces graduates earning $34,930/yr — within striking distance of the $33,862 national average for this field.

With a 11.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 7% 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 $21,500 against $34,930/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #96 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places Central Connecticut State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $34,930-to-$53,222 earnings arc over five years reflects a 52% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Central Connecticut State University

A 76% acceptance rate means Central Connecticut State University is accessible to most applicants, serving 7,670 students in New Britain, CT.

See all programs and financial aid at Central Connecticut State 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 Central Connecticut State University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($83,012) Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($74,889) Mechanical Engineering ($74,676) Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians ($73,788) Civil Engineering ($71,859) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($69,334) Management Information Systems and Services ($65,486) Construction Management ($65,470)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Design and Applied Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 40/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at Central Connecticut State University?
At 40/100, 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 Central Connecticut State University?
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 →