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Design and Applied Arts at Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,287/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 7.3x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #108 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 $466K $468K $449K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.3x 7.3x 7.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.1x 4.2x 4.0x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 39 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$64,084
Out-of-state: $112,344 (4.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$75,984
-19% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,375
7.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $39,287 per year, Design and Applied Arts graduates from Illinois State University earn slightly above the $33,862 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

A 7.3x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 4% 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 $24,375 against $39,287/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #108 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places Illinois State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

About Illinois State University

With 89% of applicants admitted, Illinois State University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 18,414 in Normal, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at Illinois State 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 Illinois State University

Computer Science ($81,363) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($72,709) Construction Management ($70,672) Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications ($66,801) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($65,629) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($65,127) Accounting and Related Services ($62,940) Public Health ($59,207)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Design and Applied Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 39/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at Illinois State University?
At 39/100, 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 Illinois State 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 →