Program Analysis
Russell Sage College's Design and Applied Arts program produces graduates earning $35,294/yr — within striking distance of the $33,862 national average for this field.
An earnings multiple of 3.1x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.
Some AI exposure exists in Design and Applied Arts's typical career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 3% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $24,250 represents roughly 8 months of the $35,294 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #216 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, Russell Sage College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $41,092 are relatively flat compared to the $35,294 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.