Program Analysis
At $29,001/yr, Design and Applied Arts graduates from Maine College of Art & Design land near the $33,862 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
The financial case is thin at 2.6x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.
Some AI exposure exists in Design and Applied Arts's typical career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 2% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 11 months of the $29,001 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #277 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, Maine College of Art & Design falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $29,001 to $37,416 over five years — a 29% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.