Design and Applied Arts at Milwaukee Area Technical College

Milwaukee, WI · Public · Associate Degree

serving 11,362 students in Milwaukee, WI.

Program Analysis

Milwaukee Area Technical College's Design and Applied Arts program produces graduates earning $27,795/yr — within striking distance of the $28,654 national average for this trade.

With a 46.1x 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 #30 ranking among 92 Design and Applied Arts programs places Milwaukee Area Technical College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $27,795-to-$43,680 earnings arc over five years reflects a 57% 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.

49 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
41
Low End
49
Score
51
High End
Earnings $27,795/yr (-3% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$487K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
48.5x
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)
$10,034
Out-of-state: $14,420
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,680
57% 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 Milwaukee Area Technical College and 91 other schools.

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 Milwaukee Area Technical 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 Milwaukee Area Technical College's Design and Applied Arts program score?
A score of 49/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
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. Milwaukee Area Technical College's 49/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Design and Applied Arts program at Milwaukee Area Technical College?
If Milwaukee Area Technical 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?
Job availability for Design and Applied Arts is strong — 101,000 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Milwaukee Area Technical College graduates specifically, local market conditions in WI may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →