Program Analysis
Graduates earn $31,337/yr, roughly in line with the $33,862 national median for Design and Applied Arts. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.3x 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 4% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $24,275 represents roughly 9 months of the $31,337 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #193 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, University of Minnesota-Duluth falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $31,337 to $43,529 over five years — a 39% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.