Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $34,045 track close to the $33,862 national median for Design and Applied Arts programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
At 8.6x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.
AI risk is moderate — 38% task exposure — and the 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $25,500 debt-to-$34,045 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #148 out of 290 programs, Ferris State University's financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $34,045 to $43,252 shows 27% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.