Design at Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Design and Applied Arts
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings
$27,577/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk
High (38% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI
11.1x earnings multiple (4.7x 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 | $549K | $544K | $510K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 11.2x | 11.1x | 10.4x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.8x | 4.7x | 4.4x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 63% | 57% | 46% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 32 | 31 | 40 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$48,960
Out-of-state: $115,008 (4.7x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,286
10.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,623
80% growth from Year 1
About Saginaw Valley State University
Saginaw Valley State University accepts 73% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 6,004 in University Center, MI.
See all programs and financial aid at Saginaw Valley 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 Saginaw Valley State University
Consider the Trade Route?
Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Design at Saginaw Valley State University?
A score of 31/100 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 $510,404 in decade earnings vs $549,191 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Design from Saginaw Valley State University?
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 →