Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $29,515 track close to the $33,862 national median for Design and Applied Arts programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
The financial case is thin at 2.6x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.
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.
Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 11 months of the $29,515 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #272 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, University of Hartford falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $44,307 show a 50% jump from the $29,515 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.