Design and Applied Arts at Gnomon

Hollywood, CA · Private for-profit · Certificate

Gnomon accepts 40% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, a compact campus enrolling 302 students in Hollywood, CA.

Program Analysis

Gnomon Design and Applied Arts graduates command $80,221/yr out of the gate, well above the $28,654 national median. That 180% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

With a 27.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 13% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Design and Applied Arts career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $34,416 in median debt clears fast against $80,221 in annual earnings.

At #9 of 92 programs, this Design and Applied Arts program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The limited growth from $80,221 to $94,066 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

60 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
60
Score
62
High End
Earnings $80,221/yr (180% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$966K
4.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
28.2x
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
$34,215
Median Debt at Graduation
$34,416
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$94,066
17% 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 Gnomon

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 Gnomon's Design and Applied Arts program score?
At 60/100, Gnomon's Design and Applied Arts program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
What's the AI risk for Design and Applied Arts graduates from Gnomon?
AI exposure of 38% is a real factor. For Gnomon specifically, the gap between optimistic ($965,849) and pessimistic ($839,289) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
Can I learn Design and Applied Arts through an apprenticeship instead of Gnomon?
If Gnomon'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.
What's the job market like for Design and Applied Arts from Gnomon?
Job availability for Design and Applied Arts is strong — 101,000 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Gnomon graduates specifically, local market conditions in CA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →