Design at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Design and Applied Arts
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
41
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,585/yr (14% vs median)
AI Risk
High (38% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI
11.5x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Design graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $461K | $464K | $445K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 11.4x | 11.5x | 11.0x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.2x | 4.2x | 4.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 63% | 57% | 46% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 42 | 41 | 45 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,432
Out-of-state: $110,992 (4.2x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
6.7 months of Year 1 earnings
About University of Nebraska-Lincoln
A 77% acceptance rate means University of Nebraska-Lincoln is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 18,887 in Lincoln, NE.
See all programs and financial aid at University of Nebraska-Lincoln →Top Career Paths
Art directors
$111,040/yr
Architecture teachers, postsecondary
$101,480/yr
Special effects artists and animators
$99,800/yr
Compare & Explore
Design at Other Schools
Other Majors at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Explore the Trade Alternative
Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Design at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
A score of 41/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Design careers?
With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $445,231 in decade earnings vs $461,152 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →