Home › Queens University of Charlotte › Design and Applied Arts

Design and Applied Arts at Queens University of Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $31,611/yr (-7% vs median)

AI Risk High (38% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

ROI 3.0x earnings multiple

Ranked #258 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs

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	$525K	$522K	$492K
Earnings Multiple	3.0x	3.0x	2.8x
Probability of Field Employment	63%	57%	46%
DegreeOutlook Score	23	22	32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$173,140

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$111,144

36% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,000

9.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$49,008

55% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $31,611 track close to the $33,862 national median for Design and Applied Arts programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

At 3.0x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

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 $26,000 against $31,611/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #258 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places Queens University of Charlotte in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $31,611-to-$49,008 earnings arc over five years reflects a 55% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Queens University of Charlotte

With a 68% acceptance rate, Queens University of Charlotte is moderately selective, with a smaller student body of 1,362 in Charlotte, NC. After financial aid, the average student pays $111,144 over four years — 36% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Queens University of Charlotte →

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 Queens University of Charlotte

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 22/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at Queens University of Charlotte?

At 22/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Design and Applied Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Design and Applied Arts at Queens University of Charlotte?

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 →