Designat Montserrat College of Art
Graduates earn $19,865/yr in their first year — about 41.0% below the national Design average. Base-case 10-year earnings $474K; scenarios range from $453K to $472K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Montserrat College of Art
Studying Design and Applied Arts at a specialized institution like Montserrat means immersing yourself in a tight-knit creative community, often with an emphasis on hands-on studio work and developing a unique artistic voice. While the Boston area offers a robust market for creative professionals, graduates from smaller art colleges sometimes face a steeper climb to secure higher-paying roles, especially if their portfolios lean more towards fine art than commercial application. Many start in freelance positions, smaller agencies, or roles that don't immediately reflect the top-tier salaries seen in fields like UI/UX or animation. Given the significant impact AI is having on entry-level design tasks, focusing on highly conceptual, strategic, or uniquely human-centered design skills is critical. You'll need to actively seek out internships in commercially-oriented environments and build a portfolio that directly showcases your problem-solving abilities for industry needs.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Montserrat College of Art's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Design
How Montserrat College of Art stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Montserrat College of Art
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Montserrat College of Art, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Design offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Design trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Design at Montserrat College of Art
What does a 17/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design at Montserrat College of Art?
At 17/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Design programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Design degree from Montserrat College of Art?
At $27,000 in median debt, graduates carry 16 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design at Montserrat College of Art?
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 Montserrat College of Art a good choice for Design despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Montserrat College of Art's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.