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Design and Applied Arts at Webster University

Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $20,257/yr (-40% vs median)

AI Risk High (38% exposed)

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

ROI 2.8x earnings multiple

Ranked #264 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	$329K	$343K	$348K
Earnings Multiple	2.7x	2.8x	2.8x
Probability of Field Employment	63%	57%	46%
DegreeOutlook Score	22	21	24

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$122,920

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$104,784

15% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,500

14.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $20,257 per year, Design and Applied Arts graduates from Webster University earn below the $33,862 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The financial case is thin at 2.8x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 -6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,500 against $20,257/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.2 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #264 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, Webster University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Webster University

Webster University accepts 58% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a smaller student body of 2,180 in Saint Louis, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at Webster University →

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

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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 and Applied Arts at Webster University?

A score of 21/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Is Design and Applied Arts at Webster University worth the student debt?

Median debt of $24,500 against $20,257/yr starting salary means roughly 1.2 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.

Will AI replace Design and Applied Arts careers?

With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $347,762 in decade earnings vs $329,488 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Design and Applied Arts from Webster University?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →