Design at Maine College of Art & Design
Portland, ME · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Design and Applied Arts
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
19
Optimistic
18
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings
$29,001/yr (-14% vs median)
AI Risk
High (38% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI
2.6x earnings multiple
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 | $430K | $435K | $422K |
| Earnings Multiple | 2.6x | 2.6x | 2.5x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 63% | 57% | 46% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 19 | 18 | 28 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$165,592
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
11.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,416
29% growth from Year 1
About Maine College of Art & Design
With 78% of applicants admitted, Maine College of Art & Design prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 415 students in Portland, ME.
See all programs and financial aid at Maine College of Art & Design →Top Career Paths
Art directors
$111,040/yr
Architecture teachers, postsecondary
$101,480/yr
Special effects artists and animators
$99,800/yr
Compare & Explore
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Explore the Trade Alternative
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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Design at Maine College of Art & Design?
A score of 18/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Design careers?
With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $422,232 in decade earnings vs $430,089 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →