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Design and Applied Arts at Seattle Pacific University

Seattle, WA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,248/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 5.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #61 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 $806K $780K $701K
Earnings Multiple 5.2x 5.0x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 46 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$155,256
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$99,280
36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
7.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$79,971
104% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $39,248 per year, Design and Applied Arts graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn slightly above the $33,862 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 5.0x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 38% task exposure — and the 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $25,000 debt-to-$39,248 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #61 out of 290 programs, Seattle Pacific University's Design and Applied Arts program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $39,248 to $79,971 over five years (104% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Seattle Pacific University

With 91% of applicants admitted, Seattle Pacific University prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 2,073 students in Seattle, WA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $99,280 — 36% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Seattle Pacific 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

Compare this program → View all 290 schools offering Design and Applied Arts →

Design and Applied Arts at Other Schools

Carnegie Mellon University ($66,274) University of Southern California ($64,846) University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($63,449) University of California-Los Angeles ($57,615) Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($52,694) University of Cincinnati-Main Campus ($52,526) Utah State University ($52,431) Interior Designers Institute ($51,188)

Other Majors at Seattle Pacific University

Computer Science ($82,557) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($81,671) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($81,199) Engineering, General ($71,770) Mechanical Engineering ($71,039) Business/Commerce, General ($56,283) Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations ($44,823) Economics ($41,502)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Design and Applied Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

How does Seattle Pacific University's Design and Applied Arts program score?
This program scores 46/100 — on the lower end for Design and Applied Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Design and Applied Arts to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Design and Applied Arts careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 38% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Seattle Pacific University rank so high for Design and Applied Arts?
The #61 ranking out of 290 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →