Home › John Brown University › Design and Applied Arts

Design and Applied Arts at John Brown University

Siloam Springs, AR · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
23 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
24
Optimistic
23
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,893/yr (-26% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 4.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #235 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 $584K $576K $536K
Earnings Multiple 4.7x 4.7x 4.3x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 24 23 30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$123,328
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$84,576
31% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
9.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,158
106% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

John Brown University's Design and Applied Arts graduates start at $24,893/yr, trailing the $33,862 national average by 26%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

At 4.7x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 8% 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 $19,500 against $24,893/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #235 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places John Brown University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $24,893-to-$51,158 earnings arc over five years reflects a 106% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About John Brown University

John Brown University's 68% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with a smaller student body of 1,415 in Siloam Springs, AR. After financial aid, the average student pays $84,576 over four years — 31% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at John Brown 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 John Brown University

Construction Management ($73,249) Engineering, General ($67,911) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($67,343) Business/Commerce, General ($58,390) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($54,982) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($42,496) Psychology, General ($35,294) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($32,974)

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 23/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at John Brown University?
At 23/100, 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 John Brown 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.
Is John Brown University a good choice for Design and Applied Arts despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If John Brown University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →