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Design and Applied Arts at San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $31,459/yr (-7% vs median)

AI Risk High (38% exposed)

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

ROI 17.9x earnings multiple (7.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #72 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs Top 25%

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	$604K	$594K	$551K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	18.2x	17.9x	16.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.5x	7.4x	6.8x
Probability of Field Employment	63%	57%	46%
DegreeOutlook Score	44	43	52

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$33,160

Out-of-state: $80,680 (7.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$64,696

-95% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,832

5.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$56,904

81% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

San Diego State University's Design and Applied Arts program produces graduates earning $31,459/yr — within striking distance of the $33,862 national average for this field.

With a 17.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 9% 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,832 in median debt clears quickly against $31,459 in annual earnings.

San Diego State University ranks #72 among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $31,459-to-$56,904 earnings arc over five years reflects a 81% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About San Diego State University

Admission to San Diego State University is competitive, with 34% of applicants accepted, with 33,654 students enrolled in San Diego, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at San Diego State University →

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 San Diego State University

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 43/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at San Diego State University?

At 43/100, 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 San Diego State University?

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.

Is San Diego State University one of the best schools for Design and Applied Arts?

Among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, San Diego State University's #72 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →