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Design and Applied Arts at Harding University

Searcy, AR · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
31
Optimistic
31
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,582/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 4.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #153 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 $487K $487K $464K
Earnings Multiple 4.9x 4.9x 4.7x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 31 31 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$99,552
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$82,316
17% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,032
29% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Harding University's Design and Applied Arts graduates start at $35,582/yr — above the $33,862 national average, though not by a wide margin.

At 4.9x 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.

A #153 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places Harding University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 29% earnings increase from $35,582 to $46,032 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Harding University

A 100% acceptance rate means Harding University is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 3,323 students in Searcy, AR.

See all programs and financial aid at Harding University →

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 Harding University

Computer Science ($78,041) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($69,743) Accounting and Related Services ($58,649) Finance and Financial Management Services ($53,876) Mechanical Engineering ($53,229) Bible/Biblical Studies ($48,073) Marketing ($46,738) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($42,251)

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 31/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at Harding University?
At 31/100, 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 Harding 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →