Design and Applied Arts at University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
27
Optimistic
26
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,070/yr (-5% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #211 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 $689K $672K $614K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 2.9x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 26 35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$232,888
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$157,980
32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
10.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,023
103% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $32,070 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.

The financial case is thin at 2.9x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 10 months of the $32,070 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #211 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs, University of San Francisco falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $65,023 show a 103% jump from the $32,070 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of San Francisco

With a 51% acceptance rate, University of San Francisco is moderately selective, with a mid-sized student body of 5,697 in San Francisco, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $157,980 over four years — 32% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of San Francisco →

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 San Francisco

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Design and Applied Arts at University of San Francisco?
A score of 26/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Design and Applied Arts careers?
With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $613,622 in decade earnings vs $688,622 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →