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Design at Montclair State University

Montclair, NJ · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Design and Applied Arts
30 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
31
Optimistic
30
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,027/yr (-23% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 9.8x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #177 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 graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $589K $581K $540K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.0x 9.8x 9.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 6.0x 5.6x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 31 30 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$59,064
Out-of-state: $96,504 (6.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,636
4% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,375
11.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,388
101% growth from Year 1

About Montclair State University

Montclair State University has a 87% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 17,677 students in Montclair, NJ. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Montclair 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 →

Design 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 Montclair State University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($104,219) Accounting and Related Services ($56,917) Chemistry ($55,389) Mathematics ($50,810) Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics ($47,487) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($46,739) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($46,343) Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences ($43,985)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Design trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →

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 does a 30/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design at Montclair State University?
At 30/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Design programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design at Montclair 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.
Is Montclair State University a good choice for Design despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Montclair State University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →