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Design and Applied Arts at University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Lowell, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $41,020/yr (21% vs median)

AI Risk High (38% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

ROI 7.2x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #89 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	$479K	$480K	$458K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	7.2x	7.2x	6.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.4x	3.4x	3.2x
Probability of Field Employment	63%	57%	46%
DegreeOutlook Score	42	41	44

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$66,280

Out-of-state: $141,584 (3.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$74,508

-12% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,075

7.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $41,020 at University of Massachusetts-Lowell come in 21% above the national median of $33,862 for Design and Applied Arts programs.

At 7.2x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 38% task exposure — and the 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,075 debt-to-$41,020 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #89 out of 290 programs, University of Massachusetts-Lowell's Design and Applied Arts offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

About University of Massachusetts-Lowell

University of Massachusetts-Lowell accepts 85% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 11,632 students in Lowell, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Massachusetts-Lowell →

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

Design and Applied Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Explore the Trade Alternative

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 University of Massachusetts-Lowell's Design and Applied Arts program score?

This program scores 41/100 — 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 →