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Design and Applied Arts at University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
51 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
52
Optimistic
51
Base Case
51
Pessimistic
Earnings $64,846/yr (92% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #30 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs Top 10%

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 $704K $686K $625K
Earnings Multiple 2.6x 2.5x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 52 51 51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$272,948
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$127,708
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,000
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$79,947
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $64,846 per year, Design and Applied Arts graduates from University of Southern California significantly outpace the $33,862 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

At 2.5x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 11% 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.

The median debt load of $18,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #30 of 290 programs, this Design and Applied Arts program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

A 23% earnings increase from $64,846 to $79,947 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Southern California

With just 10% of applicants admitted, University of Southern California ranks among the nation's most selective schools, serving a student body of 20,817 in Los Angeles, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern California →

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 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) Wentworth Institute of Technology ($50,599)

Other Majors at University of Southern California

Computer Science ($137,284) Computer Software and Media Applications ($103,071) Real Estate ($98,763) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($89,684) Industrial Engineering ($87,807) Civil Engineering ($85,262) Mechanical Engineering ($83,356) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($80,508)

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

What does a 51/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at University of Southern California?
At 51/100, University of Southern California's Design and Applied Arts program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design and Applied Arts at University of Southern California?
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.
What do students actually pay for Design and Applied Arts at University of Southern California?
The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $272,948. At a net cost of $127,708, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →