Design at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus
Bend, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Design and Applied Arts
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings
$35,614/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk
High (38% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI
10.8x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)
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 | $550K | $545K | $511K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 10.9x | 10.8x | 10.1x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.9x | 3.9x | 3.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 63% | 57% | 46% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 41 | 40 | 47 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,376
Out-of-state: $139,776 (3.9x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,265
50% growth from Year 1
About Oregon State University-Cascades Campus
With a 68% acceptance rate, Oregon State University-Cascades Campus is moderately selective, with a smaller student body of 1,054 in Bend, OR.
See all programs and financial aid at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus →Top Career Paths
Art directors
$111,040/yr
Architecture teachers, postsecondary
$101,480/yr
Special effects artists and animators
$99,800/yr
Compare & Explore
Design at Other Schools
Other Majors at Oregon State University-Cascades 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
How does Oregon State University-Cascades Campus's Design program score?
This program scores 40/100 — on the lower end for Design. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Design to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Design careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 38% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →