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Design and Applied Arts at University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
23 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
24
Optimistic
23
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $27,986/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 4.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #247 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 $573K $566K $528K
Earnings Multiple 4.0x 4.0x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 24 23 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$142,640
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$81,992
43% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
11.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,068
86% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $27,986 per year, Design and Applied Arts graduates from University of the Incarnate Word earn below the $33,862 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 4.0x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 38% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt-to-$27,986 income ratio translates to about 12 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #247 out of 290 programs, University of the Incarnate Word's financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $27,986 to $52,068 over five years (86% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of the Incarnate Word

With 93% of applicants admitted, University of the Incarnate Word prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 4,545 students in San Antonio, TX. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. The average net cost of $81,992 over four years represents a 43% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at University of the Incarnate Word →

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

Compare this program → View all 290 schools offering Design and Applied Arts →

Design and Applied Arts at Other Schools

Carnegie Mellon University ($66,274) University of Southern California ($64,846) University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($63,449) University of California-Los Angeles ($57,615) Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($52,694) University of Cincinnati-Main Campus ($52,526) Utah State University ($52,431) Interior Designers Institute ($51,188)

Other Majors at University of the Incarnate Word

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($64,720) Human Resources Management and Services ($58,499) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($47,241) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($46,092) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($44,173) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($43,843) Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General ($41,126) Health and Physical Education/Fitness ($40,453)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Design and Applied Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

How does University of the Incarnate Word's Design and Applied Arts program score?
This program scores 23/100 — on the lower end for Design and Applied Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Design and Applied Arts to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Design and Applied Arts careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 38% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Design and Applied Arts earnings lower at University of the Incarnate Word?
Lower starting pay at University of the Incarnate Word may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →