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Design and Applied Arts at Mercyhurst University

Erie, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,267/yr (-17% vs median)

AI Risk High (38% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

ROI 3.5x earnings multiple

Ranked #245 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	$641K	$629K	$579K
Earnings Multiple	3.6x	3.5x	3.2x
Probability of Field Employment	63%	57%	46%
DegreeOutlook Score	24	23	33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$178,040

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$109,052

39% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,836

11.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$58,401

107% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $28,267 place Mercyhurst University below the $33,862 national median for Design and Applied Arts — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 3.5x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 38% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,836 debt-to-$28,267 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #245 out of 290 programs, Mercyhurst University's financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $28,267 to $58,401 over five years (107% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Mercyhurst University

Mercyhurst University accepts 83% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 2,217 students in Erie, PA. The average net cost of $109,052 over four years represents a 39% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Mercyhurst 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

Design and Applied Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Mercyhurst University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Mercyhurst University's Design and Applied Arts program score?

This program scores 23/100 — on the lower end for Design and Applied Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Design and Applied Arts to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Design and Applied Arts careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 38% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Design and Applied Arts earnings lower at Mercyhurst University?

Lower starting pay at Mercyhurst University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →