Design and Applied Arts at State University of New York at Oswego

Oswego, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
36
Optimistic
35
Base Case
44
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,546/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 13.5x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #133 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 $473K $475K $454K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.5x 13.5x 12.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.3x 6.4x 6.1x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 35 44

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,076
Out-of-state: $74,716 (6.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$68,924
-96% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
8.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,544
34% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $32,546/yr, roughly in line with the $33,862 national median for Design and Applied Arts. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Design and Applied Arts programs nationally.

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 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,250 represents roughly 9 months of the $32,546 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #133 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, State University of New York at Oswego scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $32,546 to $43,544 over five years — a 34% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About State University of New York at Oswego

State University of New York at Oswego accepts 80% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 5,618 in Oswego, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at State University of New York at Oswego →

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 State University of New York at Oswego

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Design and Applied Arts at State University of New York at Oswego?
A score of 35/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Design and Applied Arts careers?
With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $454,124 in decade earnings vs $473,168 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →