Designat University of Wisconsin-Stout
Graduates earn $40,615/yr in their first year — about 20.0% above the national Design average. Base-case 10-year earnings $519K; scenarios range from $490K to $522K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Wisconsin-Stout
Graduates earn $40,615/yr, edging above the $33,862 national average for Design — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.
With a 12.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Design career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
At $26,000 against $40,615/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.
University of Wisconsin-Stout ranks #44 among 290 Design programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
A 27% earnings increase from $40,615 to $51,582 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Wisconsin-Stout's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Design
How University of Wisconsin-Stout stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Wisconsin-Stout
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Wisconsin-Stout, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Design offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Design trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Design at University of Wisconsin-Stout
What does a 48/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design at University of Wisconsin-Stout?
At 48/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Design programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design at University of Wisconsin-Stout?
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 Wisconsin-Stout one of the best schools for Design?
Among 290 Design programs, University of Wisconsin-Stout's #44 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.