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Design and Applied Arts at University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
67 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
68
Optimistic
67
Base Case
67
Pessimistic
Earnings $57,615/yr (70% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 13.6x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #3 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs Top 1%

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 $773K $749K $676K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.0x 13.6x 12.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.3x 4.2x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 68 67 67

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$54,988
Out-of-state: $178,096 (4.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,052
-2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$85,813
49% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of University of California-Los Angeles's Design and Applied Arts program earn $57,615/yr in their first year — 70% above the $33,862 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

With a 13.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 13% 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 $19,000 in median debt against $57,615 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs nationally, University of California-Los Angeles ranks #3 — elite territory by any measure of graduate financial outcomes.

A 49% earnings increase from $57,615 to $85,813 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of California-Los Angeles

University of California-Los Angeles admits 9% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, with 33,040 students enrolled in Los Angeles, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Los Angeles →

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

Compare this program → View all 290 schools offering Design and Applied Arts →

Design and Applied Arts at Other Schools

Carnegie Mellon University ($66,274) University of Southern California ($64,846) University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($63,449) Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($52,694) University of Cincinnati-Main Campus ($52,526) Utah State University ($52,431) Interior Designers Institute ($51,188) Wentworth Institute of Technology ($50,599)

Compare Design and Applied Arts

University of California-Los Angeles vs University of Washington-Seattle Campus → University of California-Los Angeles vs Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus → University of California-Los Angeles vs University of Cincinnati-Main Campus →

Other Majors at University of California-Los Angeles

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($136,099) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($94,611) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($85,369) Business/Managerial Economics ($83,604) Mechanical Engineering ($79,016) Chemical Engineering ($76,680) Civil Engineering ($75,510) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($71,068)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Design and Applied Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 67/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at University of California-Los Angeles?
At 67/100, University of California-Los Angeles's Design and Applied Arts program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design and Applied Arts at University of California-Los Angeles?
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 University of California-Los Angeles one of the best schools for Design and Applied Arts?
Among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, University of California-Los Angeles's #3 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 →