Design at Ringling College of Art and Design
Sarasota, FL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Design and Applied Arts
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
18
Optimistic
18
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings
$28,137/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk
High (38% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI
2.2x 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 | $495K | $495K | $470K |
| Earnings Multiple | 2.2x | 2.2x | 2.1x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 63% | 57% | 46% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 18 | 18 | 27 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$221,920
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
11.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,462
58% growth from Year 1
About Ringling College of Art and Design
A 67% admission rate makes Ringling College of Art and Design accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a smaller institution with 1,719 students in Sarasota, FL.
See all programs and financial aid at Ringling 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
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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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Design at Ringling College of Art and Design?
A score of 18/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Design careers?
With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $470,411 in decade earnings vs $495,164 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Design from Ringling College of Art and Design?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →