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Design and Applied Arts at Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
53 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
54
Optimistic
53
Base Case
54
Pessimistic
Earnings $44,602/yr (32% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 13.2x earnings multiple (4.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #28 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs Top 10%

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 $531K $528K $497K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.3x 13.2x 12.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.6x 4.6x 4.3x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 54 53 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)
$39,968
Out-of-state: $115,176 (4.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,780
-40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,610
20% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Purdue University-Main Campus's Design and Applied Arts program earn $44,602/yr in their first year — 32% above the $33,862 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

With a 13.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Design and Applied Arts career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $19,500 in median debt against $44,602 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #28 of 290 programs, this Design and Applied Arts program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

A 20% earnings increase from $44,602 to $53,610 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Purdue University-Main Campus

With a 50% acceptance rate, Purdue University-Main Campus is moderately selective, with 39,637 students enrolled in West Lafayette, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Purdue 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

Compare this program → View all 290 schools offering Design and Applied Arts →

Design and Applied Arts at Other Schools

Carnegie Mellon University ($66,274) University of Southern California ($64,846) University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($63,449) University of California-Los Angeles ($57,615) Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($52,694) University of Cincinnati-Main Campus ($52,526) Utah State University ($52,431) Interior Designers Institute ($51,188)

Other Majors at Purdue University-Main Campus

Computer Science ($94,786) Computer Engineering ($89,965) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($84,300) Industrial Engineering ($81,379) Chemical Engineering ($81,105) Mechanical Engineering ($80,374) Materials Engineering ($78,265) Construction Engineering ($76,966)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Design and Applied Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 53/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at Purdue University-Main Campus?
At 53/100, Purdue University-Main Campus's Design and Applied Arts program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design and Applied Arts at Purdue University-Main Campus?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →