Design at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design
Lancaster, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Design and Applied Arts
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
18
Optimistic
17
Base Case
25
Pessimistic
Earnings
$25,830/yr (-24% vs median)
AI Risk
High (38% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI
2.9x earnings multiple
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 | $352K | $364K | $364K |
| Earnings Multiple | 2.8x | 2.9x | 2.9x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 63% | 57% | 46% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 18 | 17 | 25 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$125,480
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
12.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$26,703
3% growth from Year 1
About Pennsylvania College of Art and Design
A 46% admission rate makes Pennsylvania College of Art and Design accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a compact campus enrolling 312 students in Lancaster, PA. 46% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design →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
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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania College of Art and Design?
At $27,000 in median debt, graduates carry 13 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania College of Art and Design a good choice for Design despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Pennsylvania 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →