Design and Applied Arts at North Dakota State University-Main Campus

Fargo, ND · Public · Bachelor's Degree
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
48
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,846/yr (24% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 11.8x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #43 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Design and Applied Arts graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $514K $512K $484K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.8x 11.8x 11.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.3x 8.2x 7.8x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 48 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,428
Out-of-state: $62,044 (8.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,336
-50% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,837
21% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $41,846/yr, edging above the $33,862 national average for Design and Applied Arts — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Design and Applied Arts programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Design and Applied Arts's typical career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $41,846 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #43 of 290 nationally, this is a top-5% Design and Applied Arts program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $41,846 to $50,837 over five years — a 21% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About North Dakota State University-Main Campus

North Dakota State University-Main Campus has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 9,567 students in Fargo, ND.

See all programs and financial aid at North Dakota State University-Main Campus →

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 and Applied Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at North Dakota State University-Main Campus

Explore the Trade Alternative

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Design and Applied Arts at North Dakota State University-Main Campus?
A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Design and Applied Arts careers?
With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $484,039 in decade earnings vs $513,575 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes North Dakota State University-Main Campus's Design and Applied Arts program stand out?
Ranked #43 of 290 programs nationally, North Dakota State University-Main Campus lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →