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Design and Applied Arts at Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, GA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,839/yr (-24% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 16.4x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #169 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 $370K $380K $377K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.0x 16.4x 16.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.4x 5.6x 5.5x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 31 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$23,144
Out-of-state: $68,160 (5.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$67,888
-193% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,839 place Kennesaw State University below the $33,862 national median for Design and Applied Arts — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Design and Applied Arts programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Design and Applied Arts's typical career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a -2% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #169 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, Kennesaw State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Kennesaw State University

A 69% admission rate makes Kennesaw State University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 39,503 in Kennesaw, GA.

See all programs and financial aid at Kennesaw 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 Kennesaw State University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($80,560) Computer Engineering ($77,455) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($74,181) Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering ($72,645) General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations ($72,092) Construction Management ($71,422) Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($71,064) Computer Science ($68,763)

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Design and Applied Arts at Kennesaw State University?
A score of 31/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Design and Applied Arts careers?
With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $377,446 in decade earnings vs $369,590 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Design and Applied Arts from Kennesaw State University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →