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Design and Applied Arts at Moraine Park Technical College

Fond du Lac, WI · Public · Associate Degree

with a smaller student body of 2,230 in Fond du Lac, WI.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $21,388/yr fall 25% below the $28,654 national median for Design and Applied Arts. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 23.7x 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 #72 ranking among 92 Design and Applied Arts programs places Moraine Park Technical 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.

38 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
35
Low End
38
Score
40
High End
Earnings $21,388/yr (-25% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$224K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
23.7x
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)
$9,426
Out-of-state: $13,834

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 Moraine Park Technical 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 Moraine Park Technical College

Nursing ($66,776) Allied Health Professions ($54,569) Business Administration ($46,719) Accounting ($42,629) Precision Metalworking ($41,073) Electrical Installation ($41,051) Allied Health Professions ($38,309) Human Resources ($36,886)

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 Moraine Park Technical College?
At 38/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Design and Applied Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design and Applied Arts at Moraine Park Technical College?
Our scenarios model 38% of Design and Applied Arts tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Moraine Park Technical College's 38/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Is Moraine Park Technical College a good choice for Design and Applied Arts despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Moraine Park Technical College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Design and Applied Arts through an apprenticeship instead of Moraine Park Technical College?
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 Moraine Park Technical College?
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 →