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Design and Applied Arts at Montserrat College of Art

Beverly, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $19,865/yr (-41% vs median)

AI Risk High (38% exposed)

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

ROI 3.0x earnings multiple

Ranked #284 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	$472K	$474K	$453K
Earnings Multiple	3.0x	3.0x	2.9x
Probability of Field Employment	63%	57%	46%
DegreeOutlook Score	18	17	19

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$156,000

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$138,900

11% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$27,000

16.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$38,093

92% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Montserrat College of Art's Design and Applied Arts graduates start at $19,865/yr, trailing the $33,862 national average by 41%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

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 4% 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 1.4x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #284 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places Montserrat College of Art in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $19,865-to-$38,093 earnings arc over five years reflects a 92% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Montserrat College of Art

with a smaller student body of 261 in Beverly, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at Montserrat College of Art →

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 Montserrat College of Art

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

What does a 17/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at Montserrat College of Art?

At 17/100, 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 Montserrat College of Art?

At $27,000 in median debt, graduates carry 16 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 Montserrat College of Art?

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 Montserrat College of Art a good choice for Design and Applied Arts despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Montserrat College of Art'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 →