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Design and Applied Arts at University of Akron Main Campus

Akron, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
43
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,856/yr (18% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 9.8x earnings multiple (7.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #75 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 $505K $504K $477K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.9x 9.8x 9.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.3x 7.3x 6.9x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 43 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,196
Out-of-state: $68,956 (7.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,924
-17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,937
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,246
24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Akron Main Campus's Design and Applied Arts graduates start at $39,856/yr — above the $33,862 national average, though not by a wide margin.

A 9.8x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 5% 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 $26,937 against $39,856/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #75 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places University of Akron Main Campus in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 24% earnings increase from $39,856 to $49,246 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Akron Main Campus

A 71% acceptance rate means University of Akron Main Campus is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 10,011 students in Akron, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Akron Main Campus →

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 University of Akron Main Campus

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,622) Chemical Engineering ($71,873) Mechanical Engineering ($71,448) Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($70,138) Computer Engineering ($69,070) Mathematics and Computer Science ($68,137) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($67,141) Civil Engineering ($66,820)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Design and Applied Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 43/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at University of Akron Main Campus?
At 43/100, 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 University of Akron Main Campus?
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 →