Design at FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Los Angeles, CA · Private for-profit · Bachelor's Degree · Design and Applied Arts
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
23
Optimistic
22
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings
$26,479/yr (-22% vs median)
AI Risk
High (38% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI
2.8x earnings multiple
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Design graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $374K | $384K | $381K |
| Earnings Multiple | 2.7x | 2.8x | 2.8x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 63% | 57% | 46% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 23 | 22 | 30 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$137,300
Median Debt at Graduation
$29,499
13.4 months of Year 1 earnings
About FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
With a 42% acceptance rate, FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is moderately selective, with a smaller student body of 1,319 in Los Angeles, CA.
See all programs and financial aid at FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising →Top Career Paths
Art directors
$111,040/yr
Architecture teachers, postsecondary
$101,480/yr
Special effects artists and animators
$99,800/yr
Compare & Explore
Design at Other Schools
Explore the Trade Alternative
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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Design at FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising?
A score of 22/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Design at FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising worth the student debt?
Median debt of $29,499 against $26,479/yr starting salary means roughly 1.1 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
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 $380,851 in decade earnings vs $374,186 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Design from FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising?
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 →