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Design and Applied Arts at The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
64 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
65
Optimistic
64
Base Case
65
Pessimistic
Earnings $44,506/yr (31% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 17.7x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #4 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs Top 1%

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 $860K $829K $740K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.4x 17.7x 15.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.0x 4.8x 4.3x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 65 64 65

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$46,712
Out-of-state: $171,112 (4.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$78,712
-69% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,000
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$88,050
98% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $44,506 per year, Design and Applied Arts graduates from The University of Texas at Austin significantly outpace the $33,862 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

With a 17.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 14% 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.

The median debt load of $18,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs nationally, The University of Texas at Austin ranks #4 — elite territory by any measure of graduate financial outcomes.

The $44,506-to-$88,050 earnings arc over five years reflects a 98% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About The University of Texas at Austin

A 29% acceptance rate puts The University of Texas at Austin in competitive admissions territory, with 42,100 students enrolled in Austin, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Texas at Austin →

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)

Compare Design and Applied Arts

The University of Texas at Austin vs University of Washington-Seattle Campus → The University of Texas at Austin vs University of California-Los Angeles → The University of Texas at Austin vs Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus → The University of Texas at Austin vs University of Cincinnati-Main Campus →

Other Majors at The University of Texas at Austin

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($111,587) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($96,997) Business/Commerce, General ($94,041) Chemical Engineering ($87,365) Petroleum Engineering ($86,761) Management Information Systems and Services ($86,622) Mechanical Engineering ($82,227) Finance and Financial Management Services ($81,844)

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 64/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at The University of Texas at Austin?
At 64/100, The University of Texas at Austin's Design and Applied Arts program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design and Applied Arts at The University of Texas at Austin?
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.
Is The University of Texas at Austin one of the best schools for Design and Applied Arts?
Among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, The University of Texas at Austin's #4 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →