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Design and Applied Arts at University of Denver

Denver, CO · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
24 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
25
Optimistic
24
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,104/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 1.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #230 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs

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 $407K $415K $405K
Earnings Multiple 1.7x 1.7x 1.7x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 25 24 34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$237,360
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$144,148
39% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $31,104 track close to the $33,862 national median for Design and Applied Arts programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

An earnings multiple of 1.7x 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 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At #230 out of 290 programs, University of Denver's financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About University of Denver

University of Denver has a 71% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 6,059 students in Denver, CO. After financial aid, the average student pays $144,148 over four years — 39% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Denver →

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 Denver

Computer Science ($72,250) Accounting and Related Services ($67,392) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($65,557) Mechanical Engineering ($65,014) Finance and Financial Management Services ($56,402) Marketing ($50,016) International Business ($48,940) Hospitality Administration/Management ($47,679)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Design and Applied Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 University of Denver's Design and Applied Arts program score?
This program scores 24/100 — 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 →