Design and Applied Arts at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Bowling Green, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
39
Optimistic
38
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,645/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 9.5x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #120 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs Top 50%

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 $536K $533K $501K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.5x 9.5x 8.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 6.0x 5.7x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 38 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)
$56,324
Out-of-state: $88,280 (6.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$83,672
-49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
9.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,779
45% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $35,645/yr, edging above the $33,862 national average for Design and Applied Arts — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.5x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 9 months of the $35,645 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #120 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, Bowling Green State University-Main Campus scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $35,645 to $51,779 over five years — a 45% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus has a 81% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 12,255 students in Bowling Green, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus →

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

Other Majors at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

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 Bowling Green State University-Main Campus?
A score of 38/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $500,852 in decade earnings vs $536,289 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →