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Design and Applied Arts at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Lafayette, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,206/yr (-17% vs median)

AI Risk High (38% exposed)

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

ROI 9.5x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #191 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs

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	$387K	$395K	$390K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.3x	9.5x	9.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.0x	4.1x	4.0x
Probability of Field Employment	63%	57%	46%
DegreeOutlook Score	29	28	37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$41,672

Out-of-state: $96,584 (4.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$56,472

-36% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,416

8.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $28,206 per year, Design and Applied Arts graduates from University of Louisiana at Lafayette earn below the $33,862 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.5x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 -1% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,416 represents roughly 9 months of the $28,206 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #191 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, University of Louisiana at Lafayette falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About University of Louisiana at Lafayette

With 89% of applicants admitted, University of Louisiana at Lafayette prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 12,269 in Lafayette, LA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Louisiana at Lafayette →

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 Louisiana at Lafayette

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 Louisiana at Lafayette?

A score of 28/100 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 $390,034 in decade earnings vs $386,592 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Design and Applied Arts from University of Louisiana at Lafayette?

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.

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