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Design and Applied Arts at University of Central Arkansas

Conway, AR · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $43,106/yr (27% vs median)

AI Risk High (38% exposed)

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

ROI 12.2x earnings multiple (7.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #50 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	$494K	$494K	$469K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.2x	12.2x	11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.2x	7.1x	6.8x
Probability of Field Employment	63%	57%	46%
DegreeOutlook Score	47	46	48

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$40,472

Out-of-state: $69,032 (7.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$67,100

-66% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

University of Central Arkansas Design and Applied Arts graduates command $43,106/yr out of the gate, well above the $33,862 national median. That 27% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Design and Applied Arts programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Design and Applied Arts's typical career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 5% gap from the optimistic case.

At #50 of 290 nationally, this is a top-5% Design and Applied Arts program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

About University of Central Arkansas

A 90% acceptance rate means University of Central Arkansas is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 7,426 in Conway, AR.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Central Arkansas →

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 University of Central Arkansas

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Design and Applied Arts at University of Central Arkansas?

A score of 46/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Design and Applied Arts careers?

With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $469,273 in decade earnings vs $493,630 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of Central Arkansas's Design and Applied Arts program stand out?

Ranked #50 of 290 programs nationally, University of Central Arkansas lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →