Design at Portland State University
Portland, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Design and Applied Arts
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
54
Pessimistic
Earnings
$35,304/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk
High (38% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI
14.3x earnings multiple (5.3x 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 | $656K | $643K | $590K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 14.6x | 14.3x | 13.1x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.4x | 5.3x | 4.9x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 63% | 57% | 46% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 48 | 47 | 54 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,952
Out-of-state: $120,552 (5.3x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,100
7.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,970
81% growth from Year 1
About Portland State University
With 91% of applicants admitted, Portland State University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 13,619 in Portland, OR.
See all programs and financial aid at Portland State University →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 Portland State University
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 Portland State University's Design program score?
This program scores 47/100 — 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.
Why does Portland State University rank so high for Design?
The #48 ranking out of 290 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →