Designat SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Graduates earn $20,252/yr in their first year — about 40.0% below the national Design average. Base-case 10-year earnings $343K; scenarios range from $348K to $329K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at SUNY Polytechnic Institute
The earnings data for this Design and Applied Arts program often reflects the regional labor market in areas like Utica, where the concentration of high-paying creative roles is typically lower than in major metropolitan design hubs. Local opportunities might lean towards smaller agencies, in-house marketing for regional businesses, or general design services, which can lead to more modest entry-level salaries compared to national averages.
Given the broad nature of "Design and Applied Arts" and the high AI risk in the field, your post-graduation success hinges on cultivating highly specialized skills and a distinctive portfolio. Focus on developing unique problem-solving abilities, advanced technical proficiencies, or a niche artistic style that AI cannot easily replicate. Actively pursuing internships, networking beyond the local market, and building a strong, specialized portfolio is crucial for navigating this competitive landscape and unlocking more lucrative opportunities.
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 Polytechnic Institute'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 Polytechnic Institute stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Other highest-scoring programs offered at SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 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 Polytechnic Institute
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Design at SUNY Polytechnic Institute?
A score of 26/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Design careers?
With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $347,734 in decade earnings vs $329,453 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Design from SUNY Polytechnic Institute?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.