Designat SUNY at Fredonia
Graduates earn $19,451/yr in their first year — about 43.0% below the national Design average. Base-case 10-year earnings $539K; scenarios range from $506K to $544K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at SUNY at Fredonia
The earnings data here reflects the unique challenges of pursuing a design career from a smaller, more rural institution like SUNY Fredonia. While the field itself offers lucrative paths in areas like digital interface design and animation, the geographic labor market in Western New York isn't a major hub for these industries. This means your initial opportunities may be limited locally, or you'll face intense competition when seeking roles in larger design centers without immediate access to those professional networks.
Success from this program often hinges on your ability to aggressively build a standout portfolio and proactively seek internships outside the immediate region. Focus on developing highly specialized skills that are in demand, as generalist roles can be more susceptible to market fluctuations and AI advancements. Your proactive networking and willingness to relocate will be critical to accessing the higher-paying career paths the broader design field offers.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to SUNY at Fredonia's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Design
How SUNY at Fredonia stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at SUNY at Fredonia
Other highest-scoring programs offered at SUNY at Fredonia, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Design offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Design trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Design at SUNY at Fredonia
How does SUNY at Fredonia's Design program score?
This program scores 30/100 — on the lower end for Design. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do SUNY at Fredonia Design graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.2x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
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.
Why are Design earnings lower at SUNY at Fredonia?
Lower starting pay at SUNY at Fredonia may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.