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Design and Applied Arts at Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
34 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
34
Optimistic
34
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,154/yr (13% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #140 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 $674K $659K $603K
Earnings Multiple 2.8x 2.7x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 34 34 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$242,652
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$153,712
37% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
8.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$67,219
76% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $38,154 at Drexel University come in 13% above the national median of $33,862 for Design and Applied Arts programs.

At 2.7x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 11% 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 $27,000 against $38,154/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #140 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places Drexel University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $38,154-to-$67,219 earnings arc over five years reflects a 76% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Drexel University

Drexel University accepts 78% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 13,509 in Philadelphia, PA. The average net cost of $153,712 over four years represents a 37% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Drexel 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 Drexel University

Computer Engineering ($89,418) Computer Science ($86,930) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($85,441) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($81,904) Information Science/Studies ($78,755) Materials Engineering ($78,623) Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management ($78,089) Construction Management ($78,030)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Design and Applied Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 34/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at Drexel University?
At 34/100, 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 Drexel 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 →