Designat Susquehanna University
Graduates earn $42,510/yr in their first year — about 26.0% above the national Design average. Base-case 10-year earnings $610K; scenarios range from $563K to $620K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Susquehanna University
Graduates of Susquehanna University's Design program earn $42,510/yr in their first year — 26% above the $33,862 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.
An earnings multiple of 2.7x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.
AI risk is moderate — 38% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $27,000 debt-to-$42,510 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
Ranked #124 out of 290 programs, Susquehanna University's Design offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $42,510 to $63,532 shows 49% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.
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 Susquehanna University'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 Susquehanna University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Susquehanna University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Susquehanna University, 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 Susquehanna University
How does Susquehanna University's Design program score?
This program scores 37/100 — 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.
How affordable is Design at Susquehanna University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $229,600, but the average net cost is $106,156 — a 54% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.