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Design and Applied Arts at North Central College

Naperville, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
21 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
22
Optimistic
21
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,037/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #262 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 $600K $591K $548K
Earnings Multiple 3.4x 3.3x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 22 21 31

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$177,576
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$92,132
48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,000
9.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,631
95% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $28,037 per year, Design and Applied Arts graduates from North Central College earn below the $33,862 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

At 3.3x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

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 $22,000 against $28,037/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #262 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places North Central College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $28,037-to-$54,631 earnings arc over five years reflects a 95% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About North Central College

North Central College accepts 58% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a smaller student body of 2,360 in Naperville, IL. The average net cost of $92,132 over four years represents a 48% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at North Central College →

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 North Central College

Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($85,168) Accounting and Related Services ($58,717) Human Resources Management and Services ($53,587) Computer Science ($53,544) Economics ($52,728) Finance and Financial Management Services ($51,420) Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($48,549) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($48,074)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Design and Applied Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 21/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at North Central College?
At 21/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Design and Applied Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design and Applied Arts at North Central College?
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 North Central College a good choice for Design and Applied Arts despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If North Central College'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 →