Home › State University of New York at New Paltz › Design and Applied Arts

Design and Applied Arts at State University of New York at New Paltz

New Paltz, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $34,677/yr (2% vs median)

AI Risk High (38% exposed)

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

ROI 17.3x earnings multiple (8.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #47 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	$597K	$588K	$546K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	17.5x	17.3x	16.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	8.1x	8.0x	7.4x
Probability of Field Employment	63%	57%	46%
DegreeOutlook Score	48	47	54

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$34,096

Out-of-state: $73,736 (8.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$73,924

-117% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,500

6.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$57,835

67% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,677 track close to the $33,862 national median for Design and Applied Arts programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 17.3x 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.

At $18,500 against $34,677/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

State University of New York at New Paltz ranks #47 among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $34,677-to-$57,835 earnings arc over five years reflects a 67% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About State University of New York at New Paltz

With a 59% acceptance rate, State University of New York at New Paltz is moderately selective, with a mid-sized student body of 6,022 in New Paltz, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at State University of New York at New Paltz →

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 State University of New York at New Paltz

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 47/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at State University of New York at New Paltz?

At 47/100, 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 State University of New York at New Paltz?

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 State University of New York at New Paltz one of the best schools for Design and Applied Arts?

Among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, State University of New York at New Paltz's #47 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 →