Design at Montserrat College of Art

Beverly, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Design and Applied Arts
17 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
18
Optimistic
17
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings $19,865/yr (-41% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #284 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs

Program Analysis

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.

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 $472K $474K $453K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 3.0x 2.9x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 18 17 19

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$156,000
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$138,900
11% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
16.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,093
92% growth from Year 1

About Montserrat College of Art

with a smaller student body of 261 in Beverly, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at Montserrat College of Art →

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

Design at Other Schools

Other Majors at Montserrat College of Art

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

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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →