Design and Applied Arts at Minnesota State University Moorhead

Moorhead, MN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
42
Optimistic
42
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,587/yr (14% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 11.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #82 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs Top 50%

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 $481K $482K $460K
Earnings Multiple 11.6x 11.7x 11.1x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 42 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$41,344
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$71,264
-72% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,100
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,027
19% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $38,587 per year, Design and Applied Arts graduates from Minnesota State University Moorhead earn slightly above the $33,862 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 11.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 38% task exposure — and the 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,100 debt-to-$38,587 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #82 out of 290 programs, Minnesota State University Moorhead's Design and Applied Arts offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $38,587 to $46,027 over five years (19% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Minnesota State University Moorhead

Minnesota State University Moorhead accepts 53% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a smaller student body of 3,120 in Moorhead, MN.

See all programs and financial aid at Minnesota State University Moorhead →

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 Minnesota State University Moorhead

Explore the Trade Alternative

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

How does Minnesota State University Moorhead's Design and Applied Arts program score?
This program scores 42/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →