Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $24,959 place Cleveland State University below the $33,862 national median for Design and Applied Arts — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Design and Applied Arts programs nationally.
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 $26,875 against $24,959/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.1 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.
Ranked #196 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, Cleveland State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $45,790 show a 83% jump from the $24,959 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.