Design and Applied Arts at CUNY Kingsborough Community College

Brooklyn, NY · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 7,632 students in Brooklyn, NY.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $19,146 place CUNY Kingsborough Community College below the $28,654 national median for Design and Applied Arts — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 30.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Design and Applied Arts carry above-average AI exposure (38% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

A #66 ranking among 92 Design and Applied Arts programs places CUNY Kingsborough Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $19,146-to-$33,696 earnings arc over five years reflects a 76% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

The 9 apprenticeship pathways connected to Design and Applied Arts reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

39 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
32
Low End
39
Score
41
High End
Earnings $19,146/yr (-33% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$336K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
32.0x
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)
$10,504
Out-of-state: $16,264
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,696
76% 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

Design and Applied Arts opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

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 Kingsborough Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Design and Applied Arts at CUNY Kingsborough Community College?
A score of 39/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
What's the AI risk for Design and Applied Arts graduates from CUNY Kingsborough Community College?
The 38% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — CUNY Kingsborough Community College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Can you still earn well with Design and Applied Arts from CUNY Kingsborough Community College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Can I learn Design and Applied Arts through an apprenticeship instead of CUNY Kingsborough Community College?
Beyond CUNY Kingsborough 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.
Will Design and Applied Arts graduates from CUNY Kingsborough Community College find jobs?
The career paths mapped to Design and Applied Arts have roughly 101,000 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →