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Design and Applied Arts at Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Minneapolis, MN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
18 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
19
Optimistic
18
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,687/yr (-30% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #279 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 $532K $529K $498K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 3.0x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 19 18 24

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$175,296
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$103,740
41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,950
13.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,820
93% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $23,687 place Minneapolis College of Art and Design below the $33,862 national median for Design and Applied Arts — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

At 3.0x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 6% 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 1.1x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #279 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places Minneapolis College of Art and Design in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $23,687-to-$45,820 earnings arc over five years reflects a 93% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Minneapolis College of Art and Design

A 48% admission rate makes Minneapolis College of Art and Design accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a smaller institution with 701 students in Minneapolis, MN. Pell Grant recipients make up 40% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $103,740 — 41% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($26,156) Graphic Communications ($24,427) Fine and Studio Arts ($14,829)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Design and Applied Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 18/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at Minneapolis College of Art and Design?
At 18/100, 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 Minneapolis College of Art and Design?
At $26,950 in median debt, graduates carry 14 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 Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis College of Art and Design a good choice for Design and Applied Arts despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Minneapolis 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 →