Program Analysis
At $34,709/yr, Design and Applied Arts graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology land near the $33,862 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
The financial case is thin at 2.5x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.
Some AI exposure exists in Design and Applied Arts's typical career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $26,646 represents roughly 9 months of the $34,709 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #226 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, Rochester Institute of Technology falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $55,746 show a 61% jump from the $34,709 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.