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Design and Applied Arts at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
55 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
56
Optimistic
55
Base Case
55
Pessimistic
Earnings $46,761/yr (38% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 9.9x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #18 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 $626K $615K $568K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.1x 9.9x 9.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.3x 4.2x 3.9x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 56 55 55

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,912
Out-of-state: $146,776 (4.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$95,160
-54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,900
6.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,699
40% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $46,761 put Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's Design and Applied Arts program 38% above the national median of $33,862 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

A 9.9x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 9% 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.

At $23,900 against $46,761/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

At #18 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 40% earnings increase from $46,761 to $65,699 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

A 57% admission rate makes Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, one of the larger campuses at 30,435 students in Blacksburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University →

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)

Compare Design and Applied Arts

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs University of Washington-Seattle Campus → Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs University of California-Los Angeles → Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus → Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs University of Cincinnati-Main Campus →

Other Majors at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($96,432) Computer Engineering ($86,636) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($83,364) Construction Engineering ($82,627) Industrial Engineering ($82,437) Chemical Engineering ($82,382) Applied Mathematics ($82,275) Engineering Mechanics ($81,735)

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 55/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
At 55/100, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University'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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →