Design at Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Design and Applied Arts
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings
$35,878/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk
High (38% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI
7.9x 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 | $519K | $517K | $488K |
| Earnings Multiple | 7.9x | 7.9x | 7.4x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 63% | 57% | 46% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 37 | 36 | 43 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$65,800
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,965
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,885
39% growth from Year 1
About Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving a student body of 156,755 in Manchester, NH. Pell Grant recipients make up 47% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at Southern New Hampshire 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 Southern New Hampshire University
Explore the Trade Alternative
Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Southern New Hampshire University's Design program score?
This program scores 36/100 — on the lower end for Design. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Design to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Design 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →