Design and Applied Arts at Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $46,181/yr (36% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #110 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 $621K $611K $564K
Earnings Multiple 2.5x 2.4x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 39 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$252,244
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$164,104
35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
7.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,921
41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $46,181 per year, Design and Applied Arts graduates from Syracuse University significantly outpace the $33,862 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

An earnings multiple of 2.4x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 38% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt-to-$46,181 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #110 out of 290 programs, Syracuse University's Design and Applied Arts offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $46,181 to $64,921 shows 41% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University accepts 42% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, serving 15,245 students in Syracuse, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $164,104 over four years — 35% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Syracuse 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

Design and Applied Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Syracuse University

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

How does Syracuse University's Design and Applied Arts program score?
This program scores 39/100 — on the lower end for Design and Applied Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Design and Applied Arts to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Design and Applied Arts careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 38% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →