Design at Missouri Western State University
Saint Joseph, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Design and Applied Arts
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings
$37,200/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk
High (38% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI
11.6x earnings multiple (6.5x out-of-state)
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 | $451K | $455K | $438K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 11.5x | 11.6x | 11.2x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.4x | 6.5x | 6.3x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 63% | 57% | 46% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 40 | 39 | 45 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,200
Out-of-state: $70,000 (6.5x ROI)
About Missouri Western State University
a compact campus enrolling 2,372 students in Saint Joseph, MO.
See all programs and financial aid at Missouri Western State University →Top Career Paths
Art directors
$111,040/yr
Architecture teachers, postsecondary
$101,480/yr
Special effects artists and animators
$99,800/yr
Compare & Explore
Design at Other Schools
Other Majors at Missouri Western State University
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Missouri Western State University's Design program score?
This program scores 39/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →