Program Analysis
Graduates earn $32,816/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 11.4x 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 11% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $32,816 far exceeding the $14,924 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #79 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, University of California-Davis scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $67,513 show a 106% jump from the $32,816 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.