Design at Iowa State University
Ames, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Design and Applied Arts
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)
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 | $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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,581
8.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,046
47% growth from Year 1
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
Compare & Explore
Design at Other Schools
Other Majors at Iowa State University
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
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 at Iowa State University?
At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Design programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design 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?
Among 290 Design 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 →