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Design and Applied Arts at The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
53 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
54
Optimistic
53
Base Case
54
Pessimistic
Earnings $44,215/yr (31% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 11.8x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #22 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs Top 10%

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 $566K $560K $523K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.9x 11.8x 11.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.3x 4.2x 3.9x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 54 53 54

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$47,600
Out-of-state: $132,800 (4.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$88,600
-86% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
7.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,905
31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

The University of Alabama Design and Applied Arts graduates command $44,215/yr out of the gate, well above the $33,862 national median. That 31% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 11.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 38% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,000 debt-to-$44,215 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

A #22 ranking out of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs nationally puts The University of Alabama in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $44,215 to $57,905 shows 31% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About The University of Alabama

A 76% acceptance rate means The University of Alabama is accessible to most applicants, with 32,323 students enrolled in Tuscaloosa, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Alabama →

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 The University of Alabama

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($83,651) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($79,504) Mechanical Engineering ($75,238) Management Information Systems and Services ($74,078) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($73,887) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($73,000) Civil Engineering ($70,619) Chemical Engineering ($69,809)

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

How does The University of Alabama's Design and Applied Arts program score?
This program scores 53/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts graduates.
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 →