Designat CUNY New York City College of Technology
Graduates earn $21,445/yr in their first year — about 37.0% below the national Design average. Base-case 10-year earnings $501K; scenarios range from $475K to $501K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at CUNY New York City College of Technology
The earnings data for Design and Applied Arts at CUNY City Tech reflects the hyper-competitive New York City design market, particularly for entry-level roles. As a practical, hands-on program, it often prepares you for roles in local marketing agencies, small businesses, or in-house design departments, where initial compensation can be modest compared to specialized agencies or tech companies. The "applied arts" focus means many graduates enter positions that, while essential, may not command the highest starting salaries, especially when competing with graduates from more conceptual or prestigious programs in the region.
Considering the high AI risk for many design tasks, your career success will heavily depend on developing unique, human-centric skills. To navigate this landscape and maximize your potential, proactively seek out internships throughout your studies, build a portfolio showcasing highly specialized skills that AI struggles to replicate, and actively network within the NYC design community to uncover opportunities beyond general entry-level roles.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to CUNY New York City College of Technology's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Design
How CUNY New York City College of Technology stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at CUNY New York City College of Technology
Other highest-scoring programs offered at CUNY New York City College of Technology, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Design offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Design trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Design at CUNY New York City College of Technology
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Design at CUNY New York City College of Technology?
A score of 31/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Design 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 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.