Design and Applied Arts at Grand View University

Des Moines, IA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
24 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
25
Optimistic
24
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,996/yr (-20% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 4.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #231 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 $596K $588K $545K
Earnings Multiple 4.5x 4.4x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 25 24 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$133,800
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$86,464
35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,502
9.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,635
99% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $26,996 place Grand View University below the $33,862 national median for Design and Applied Arts — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 4.4x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 38% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,502 debt-to-$26,996 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #231 out of 290 programs, Grand View University's financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $26,996 to $53,635 over five years (99% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Grand View University

Grand View University accepts 98% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 1,472 in Des Moines, IA. The average net cost of $86,464 over four years represents a 35% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Grand View 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

Design and Applied Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Grand View University

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

How does Grand View University's Design and Applied Arts program score?
This program scores 24/100 — on the lower end for Design and Applied Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Design and Applied Arts to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Design and Applied Arts careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 38% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Design and Applied Arts earnings lower at Grand View University?
Lower starting pay at Grand View University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →