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Design and Applied Arts at Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
51
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,565/yr (11% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 13.2x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #53 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs Top 25%

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 $560K $554K $518K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.3x 13.2x 12.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.1x 5.0x 4.7x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 46 51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$41,988
Out-of-state: $110,732 (5.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,660
-73% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,581
8.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,046
47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $37,565 at Iowa State University come in 11% above the national median of $33,862 for Design and Applied Arts programs.

With a 13.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 7% 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 $26,581 against $37,565/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

Iowa State University ranks #53 among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 47% earnings increase from $37,565 to $55,046 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Iowa State University

Iowa State University accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 25,033 in Ames, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at Iowa State 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 Iowa State University

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($84,913) Computer Engineering ($79,182) Computer Science ($78,517) Construction Engineering ($77,845) Chemical Engineering ($76,184) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($75,036) Industrial Engineering ($74,310) Mechanical Engineering ($72,900)

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 46/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at Iowa State University?
At 46/100, 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 Iowa State 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 Iowa State University one of the best schools for Design and Applied Arts?
Among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, Iowa State University's #53 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →