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Design and Applied Arts at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $42,462/yr (25% vs median)

AI Risk High (38% exposed)

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

ROI 9.0x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #36 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	$603K	$593K	$550K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.1x	9.0x	8.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.1x	4.1x	3.8x
Probability of Field Employment	63%	57%	46%
DegreeOutlook Score	50	50	51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$65,952

Out-of-state: $145,608 (4.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$68,556

-4% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,500

6.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$61,564

45% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $42,462 put University of Minnesota-Twin Cities's Design and Applied Arts program 25% above the national median of $33,862 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

A 9.0x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 9% 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 $22,500 against $42,462/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities ranks #36 among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 45% earnings increase from $42,462 to $61,564 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities accepts 77% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 30,469 in Minneapolis, MN.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities →

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 Minnesota-Twin Cities

Consider the Trade Route?

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 50/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities?

At 50/100, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities'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 Minnesota-Twin Cities?

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 Minnesota-Twin Cities one of the best schools for Design and Applied Arts?

Among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities's #36 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 →