Design at Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Design and Applied Arts
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
54
Pessimistic
Earnings
$31,078/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk
High (38% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI
18.1x earnings multiple (6.0x 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 | $690K | $673K | $615K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 18.6x | 18.1x | 16.5x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.2x | 6.0x | 5.5x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 63% | 57% | 46% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 46 | 45 | 54 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$37,144
Out-of-state: $111,412 (6.0x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,833
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,470
107% growth from Year 1
About Western Washington University
Western Washington University has a 91% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 13,574 students in Bellingham, WA.
See all programs and financial aid at Western Washington University →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 Western Washington University
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 45/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design at Western Washington University?
At 45/100, 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 Western Washington University?
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 Western Washington University one of the best schools for Design?
Among 290 Design programs, Western Washington University's #67 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 →