Design and Applied Arts at Forsyth Technical Community College

Winston-Salem, NC · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 6,939 students in Winston-Salem, NC.

Program Analysis

At $29,715/yr, Design and Applied Arts graduates from Forsyth Technical Community College land near the $28,654 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 68.9x 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 risk is moderate — 38% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Design and Applied Arts graduates.

Ranked #16 out of 92 programs, Forsyth Technical Community College's Design and Applied Arts program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

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

55 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
55
Score
57
High End
Earnings $29,715/yr (4% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$311K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
68.9x
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)
$4,512
Out-of-state: $13,728

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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Design and Applied Arts careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering arts & design.

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 Forsyth Technical Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 55/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at Forsyth Technical Community College?
At 55/100, Forsyth Technical Community College's Design and Applied Arts program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Will AI affect Design and Applied Arts careers?
With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $310,885 in decade earnings vs $310,885 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Forsyth Technical Community College one of the best schools for Design and Applied Arts?
The #16 ranking out of 92 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Design and Applied Arts?
If Forsyth Technical Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 9 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Design and Applied Arts. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
How many job openings are there for Design and Applied Arts graduates?
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 →