Designat Kansas State University
Graduates earn $43,992/yr in their first year — about 30.0% above the national Design average. Base-case 10-year earnings $499K; scenarios range from $474K to $500K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Kansas State University
Kansas State University Design graduates command $43,992/yr out of the gate, well above the $33,862 national median. That 30% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.
The 11.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 38% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
Ranked #46 out of 290 programs, Kansas State University's Design program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Kansas State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Design
How Kansas State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Kansas State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Kansas State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Design offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Design trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Design at Kansas State University
How does Kansas State University's Design program score?
This program scores 47/100 — on the lower end for Design. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Design to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Design 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 does Kansas State University rank so high for Design?
The #46 ranking out of 290 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.