Home › Michigan State University › Design and Applied Arts

Design and Applied Arts at Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
40
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,784/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 8.6x earnings multiple (3.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #98 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs Top 50%

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 $554K $549K $514K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.7x 8.6x 8.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.2x 3.2x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 40 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$63,952
Out-of-state: $173,488 (3.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$83,004
-30% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,997
8.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,108
47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $36,784/yr, edging above the $33,862 national average for Design and Applied Arts — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

A 8.6x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 7% 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 $26,997 against $36,784/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #98 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places Michigan State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 47% earnings increase from $36,784 to $54,108 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Michigan State University

Michigan State University has a 84% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, one of the larger campuses at 40,243 students in East Lansing, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Michigan 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 Michigan State University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($86,192) Computer Engineering ($83,934) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($83,874) Mechanical Engineering ($80,259) Chemical Engineering ($79,023) Materials Engineering ($78,276) Engineering-Related Fields ($76,563) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($75,081)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Design and Applied Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 40/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at Michigan State University?
At 40/100, 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 Michigan 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →