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Design and Applied Arts at Delgado Community College

New Orleans, LA · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 11,182 students in New Orleans, LA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $30,248/yr, edging above the $28,654 national average for Design and Applied Arts — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 33.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Design and Applied Arts programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Design and Applied Arts's career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,782 represents roughly 10 months of the $30,248 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

At #38 of 92 Design and Applied Arts programs, Delgado Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $30,770 are relatively flat compared to the $30,248 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

Design and Applied Arts offers 9 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

47 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
47
Score
49
High End
Earnings $30,248/yr (6% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$316K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
33.8x
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
$9,356
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,782
9.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$30,770
2% 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

See the full career breakdown for Design and Applied Arts — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Delgado Community College and 91 other schools.

Read the full Design and Applied Arts career guide →

Compare & Explore

Design and Applied Arts Overview

View all 92 schools offering Design and Applied Arts →

Design and Applied Arts at Other Schools

Gnomon ($80,221) Miami Ad School-Atlanta ($56,833) Miami Ad School ($56,833) Interior Designers Institute ($52,768) The New School ($44,640) Century College ($43,778) Austin Community College District ($40,289) Minneapolis Community and Technical College ($40,230)

Other Majors at Delgado Community College

Nursing ($75,597) Allied Health Professions ($57,847) Allied Health Professions ($47,284) Medical Assisting ($45,773) Practical Nursing ($42,416) Vehicle Repair Technology ($37,769) Business ($37,206) Health Administration ($33,664)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Design and Applied Arts degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Design and Applied Arts at Delgado Community College?
This program scores 47/100 — on the lower end for Design and Applied Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Will AI affect Design and Applied Arts careers?
AI won't eliminate Design and Applied Arts careers, but it may reshape them. At Delgado Community College, a score of 47/100 already accounts for the 38% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Design and Applied Arts program at Delgado Community College?
The DOL recognizes 9 apprenticeship pathways related to Design and Applied Arts. For students weighing Delgado Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Design and Applied Arts from Delgado Community College?
With approximately 101,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Design and Applied Arts offers a very large employment pool. Delgado Community College graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →