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Design and Applied Arts at CUNY New York City College of Technology

Brooklyn, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $21,445/yr (-37% vs median)

AI Risk High (38% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

ROI 17.1x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #160 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	$501K	$501K	$475K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	17.1x	17.1x	16.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	8.2x	8.2x	7.8x
Probability of Field Employment	63%	57%	46%
DegreeOutlook Score	32	31	35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$29,328

Out-of-state: $61,128 (8.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$19,132

35% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$8,832

4.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$41,695

94% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $21,445/yr fall 37% below the $33,862 national median for Design and Applied Arts. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Design and Applied Arts programs nationally.

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 5% gap from the optimistic case.

At $8,832 in median debt against $21,445 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #160 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, CUNY New York City College of Technology falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $41,695 show a 94% jump from the $21,445 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About CUNY New York City College of Technology

CUNY New York City College of Technology has a 81% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 12,950 students in Brooklyn, NY. With 55% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $19,132 over four years — 35% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY New York City College of Technology →

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 CUNY New York City College of Technology

Consider the Trade Route?

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Design and Applied Arts at CUNY New York City College of Technology?

A score of 31/100 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 $474,991 in decade earnings vs $501,357 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Design and Applied Arts from CUNY New York City College of Technology?

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 →