Design and Applied Arts at CUNY Hostos Community College

Bronx, NY · Public · Associate Degree

with a smaller student body of 4,883 in Bronx, NY.

Program Analysis

CUNY Hostos Community College's Design and Applied Arts graduates start at $12,863/yr, trailing the $28,654 national average by 55%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 20.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI exposure is significant at 38% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

At #84 out of 92 programs, CUNY Hostos Community College's financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $12,863 to $33,160 over five years (158% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

With 9 registered apprenticeships mapped to Design and Applied Arts, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

34 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
28
Low End
34
Score
37
High End
Earnings $12,863/yr (-55% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$226K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
21.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
14 of 14
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$10,416
Out-of-state: $16,176
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,160
158% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Design and Applied Arts graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Art directors $111,040 +4.2% 50%
Architecture teachers, postsecondary $101,480 +2.0% 51%
Special effects artists and animators $99,800 +1.6% 48%
Art directors
$111,040
+4.2% growth 50% AI-proof
Architecture teachers, postsecondary
$101,480
+2.0% growth 51% AI-proof
Special effects artists and animators
$99,800
+1.6% growth 48% AI-proof

View all 14 career paths with full salary data →

Design and Applied Arts Career Guide

Explore what Design and Applied Arts graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 92 programs nationwide.

Read the full Design and Applied Arts career guide →

Compare & Explore

Design and Applied Arts Overview

Design and Applied Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at CUNY Hostos Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does CUNY Hostos Community College's Design and Applied Arts program score?
This program scores 34/100 — 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 exposure of 38% is a real factor. For CUNY Hostos Community College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($225,729) and pessimistic ($134,576) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
Why are Design and Applied Arts earnings lower at CUNY Hostos Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If CUNY Hostos Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Design and Applied Arts through an apprenticeship instead of CUNY Hostos Community College?
Beyond CUNY Hostos Community College's classroom route, 9 registered apprenticeships map to Design and Applied Arts careers — including Bank-Note Designer. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
What's the job market like for Design and Applied Arts from CUNY Hostos Community College?
The very large job market (101,000 annual openings) works in favor of Design and Applied Arts graduates. The national outlook is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →