Design and Applied Arts at Lehigh Carbon Community College

Schnecksville, PA · Public · Associate Degree

a compact campus enrolling 4,465 students in Schnecksville, PA.

Program Analysis

Lehigh Carbon Community College's Design and Applied Arts program produces graduates earning $27,896/yr — within striking distance of the $28,654 national average for this trade.

With a 28.0x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% 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.

A #51 ranking among 92 Design and Applied Arts programs places Lehigh Carbon Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

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

44 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
41
Low End
44
Score
46
High End
Earnings $27,896/yr (-3% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$292K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
28.0x
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)
$10,430
Out-of-state: $26,410

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 Lehigh Carbon 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 Lehigh Carbon Community College's Design and Applied Arts program score?
This program scores 44/100 — 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?
Our scenarios model 38% of Design and Applied Arts tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Lehigh Carbon Community College's 44/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Design and Applied Arts graduates?
There are 9 registered apprenticeships connected to Design and Applied Arts occupations, such as Bank-Note Designer and Commercial Designer. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
What's the job market like for Design and Applied Arts from Lehigh Carbon Community College?
At 101,000 annual openings, Design and Applied Arts has a very large employment base. Lehigh Carbon Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →