Designat Moore College of Art and Design
Graduates earn $20,587/yr in their first year — about 39.0% below the national Design average. Base-case 10-year earnings $555K; scenarios range from $519K to $560K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Moore College of Art and Design
Moore College, a smaller specialized institution in Philadelphia, places its Design and Applied Arts graduates into a regional market that often doesn't command the same starting salaries as major design hubs. While the curriculum prepares you for a broad range of creative roles, many graduates find themselves in smaller local agencies, non-profits, or pursuing freelance work where compensation starts lower. The program may emphasize artistic development, but securing those top-tier "Art Director" or "Special Effects Artist" positions often requires significant networking, portfolio building, and sometimes relocating to more competitive, higher-paying markets beyond Philly. Given the high AI risk in many design fields, focusing on unique problem-solving, strategic thinking, and advanced technical skills that complement AI tools, rather than competing directly, will be crucial for your long-term earning potential.
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 Moore College of Art and Design'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 Moore College of Art and Design stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Moore College of Art and Design
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Moore College of Art and Design, 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 Moore College of Art and Design
What does a 17/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design at Moore College of Art and Design?
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 Moore College of Art and Design?
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 Moore College of Art and Design?
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 Moore College of Art and Design a good choice for Design despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Moore College of Art and Design's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.