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Design and Applied Arts at Samford University

Birmingham, AL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
38
Optimistic
37
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,323/yr (22% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #121 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 3.2x 3.2x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 37 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$152,576
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$123,180
19% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
6.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $41,323 at Samford University come in 22% above the national median of $33,862 for Design and Applied Arts programs.

At 3.2x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

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 $23,250 against $41,323/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #121 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places Samford University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

About Samford University

Samford University accepts 82% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 3,828 students in Birmingham, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at Samford University →

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 Samford University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($64,226) Finance and Financial Management Services ($53,059) Marketing ($47,565) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($44,644) Communication and Media Studies ($39,690) Journalism ($30,311)

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 37/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at Samford University?
At 37/100, 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 Samford University?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →