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Design and Applied Arts at Dominican University

River Forest, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
21 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
22
Optimistic
21
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,938/yr (-32% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #263 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 $349K $361K $362K
Earnings Multiple 2.3x 2.4x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 22 21 27

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$151,376
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$60,452
60% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,344
13.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$39,095
70% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $22,938 per year, Design and Applied Arts graduates from Dominican University earn below the $33,862 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

At 2.4x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The -4% 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 a 1.1x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #263 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places Dominican University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Dominican University

With 80% of applicants admitted, Dominican University prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 2,271 students in River Forest, IL. Pell Grant recipients make up 49% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. The average net cost of $60,452 over four years represents a 60% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Dominican 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 Dominican University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($70,530) Accounting and Related Services ($57,187) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($45,924) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($45,045) Criminology ($31,758) Sociology ($31,657) Psychology, General ($30,846) Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations ($29,907)

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 21/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at Dominican University?
At 21/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Design and Applied Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Design and Applied Arts degree from Dominican University?
At $26,344 in median debt, graduates carry 14 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design and Applied Arts at Dominican 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.
Is Dominican University a good choice for Design and Applied Arts despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Dominican University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What do students actually pay for Design and Applied Arts at Dominican University?
The 60% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $151,376. At a net cost of $60,452, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →