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Design and Applied Arts at Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
22 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
23
Optimistic
22
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,630/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #255 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 $505K $504K $477K
Earnings Multiple 3.9x 3.9x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 23 22 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$130,080
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$107,152
18% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,500
9.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,082
56% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Columbia College Chicago's Design and Applied Arts program produces graduates earning $29,630/yr — within striking distance of the $33,862 national average for this field.

At 3.9x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 5% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Design and Applied Arts career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $24,500 against $29,630/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #255 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places Columbia College Chicago in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $29,630-to-$46,082 earnings arc over five years reflects a 56% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Columbia College Chicago

A 91% acceptance rate means Columbia College Chicago is accessible to most applicants, serving 6,294 students in Chicago, IL. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Columbia College Chicago →

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

Compare this program → View all 290 schools offering Design and Applied Arts →

Design and Applied Arts at Other Schools

Carnegie Mellon University ($66,274) University of Southern California ($64,846) University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($63,449) University of California-Los Angeles ($57,615) Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($52,694) University of Cincinnati-Main Campus ($52,526) Utah State University ($52,431) Interior Designers Institute ($51,188)

Other Majors at Columbia College Chicago

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($39,794) Marketing ($36,386) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($34,798) American Sign Language ($33,775) Journalism ($31,369) Graphic Communications ($26,309) Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies ($25,060) Radio, Television, and Digital Communication ($24,191)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Design and Applied Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 22/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at Columbia College Chicago?
At 22/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Design and Applied Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design and Applied Arts at Columbia College Chicago?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →