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Design and Applied Arts at Kansas City Art Institute

Kansas City, MO · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
20 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
21
Optimistic
20
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,513/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #268 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 $509K $507K $481K
Earnings Multiple 2.9x 2.9x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 21 20 29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$174,200
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$118,220
32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
11.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,472
57% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $29,513/yr, Design and Applied Arts graduates from Kansas City Art Institute land near the $33,862 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

At 2.9x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 6% 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 $27,000 against $29,513/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #268 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places Kansas City Art Institute in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $29,513-to-$46,472 earnings arc over five years reflects a 57% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Kansas City Art Institute

Kansas City Art Institute accepts 60% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a smaller student body of 782 in Kansas City, MO. 42% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $118,220 — 32% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Kansas City Art Institute →

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 Kansas City Art Institute

Fine and Studio Arts ($22,906) Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($22,619) Graphic Communications ($17,852)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Design and Applied Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 20/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at Kansas City Art Institute?
At 20/100, 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 Kansas City Art Institute?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →