Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $34,947 track close to the $33,862 national median for Design and Applied Arts programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
At 9.4x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.
AI risk is moderate — 38% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $24,250 debt-to-$34,947 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
Ranked #118 out of 290 programs, Keene State College's Design and Applied Arts offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
Earnings growth from $34,947 to $54,022 over five years (55% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.