Design and Applied Arts at Champlain College

Burlington, VT · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
31
Optimistic
31
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,264/yr (13% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #165 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 $529K $526K $496K
Earnings Multiple 2.9x 2.9x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 31 31 35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$182,200
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$140,000
23% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,870
8.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,815
35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $38,264/yr, edging above the $33,862 national average for Design and Applied Arts — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

An earnings multiple of 2.9x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 38% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,870 debt-to-$38,264 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #165 out of 290 programs, Champlain College's financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $38,264 to $51,815 shows 35% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Champlain College

With a 67% acceptance rate, Champlain College is moderately selective, a compact campus enrolling 2,870 students in Burlington, VT.

See all programs and financial aid at Champlain College →

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 Champlain College

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

How does Champlain College's Design and Applied Arts program score?
This program scores 31/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →