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Design and Applied Arts at Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Boston, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
30 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
30
Optimistic
30
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,706/yr (-27% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 9.8x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #174 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 $596K $587K $545K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.0x 9.8x 9.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.5x 3.5x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 30 30 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$59,840
Out-of-state: $168,720 (3.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$95,056
-59% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,537
12.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,089
111% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Massachusetts College of Art and Design's Design and Applied Arts graduates start at $24,706/yr, trailing the $33,862 national average by 27%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

A 9.8x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 9% 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 a 1.0x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #174 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places Massachusetts College of Art and Design in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $24,706-to-$52,089 earnings arc over five years reflects a 111% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Massachusetts College of Art and Design

A 77% acceptance rate means Massachusetts College of Art and Design is accessible to most applicants, with a smaller student body of 1,812 in Boston, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at Massachusetts College of Art and Design →

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 Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($39,251) Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($22,764) Fine and Studio Arts ($21,461)

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 30/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at Massachusetts College of Art and Design?
At 30/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Design and Applied Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Design and Applied Arts degree from Massachusetts College of Art and Design?
At $25,537 in median debt, graduates carry 12 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design and Applied Arts at Massachusetts College of Art and Design?
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 Massachusetts College of Art and Design a good choice for Design and Applied Arts despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Massachusetts College of Art and Design'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 →