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Design and Applied Arts at NUC University

Bayamon, PR · Private for-profit · Certificate

serving a student body of 25,881 in Bayamon, PR.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $9,509/yr fall 67% below the $28,654 national median for Design and Applied Arts. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 12.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Design and Applied Arts programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Design and Applied Arts's career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #89 of 92 Design and Applied Arts programs, NUC University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Design and Applied Arts offers 9 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

31 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
28
Low End
31
Score
33
High End
Earnings $9,509/yr (-67% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$99K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
12.4x
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)
$8,054
Out-of-state: $9,884

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

Explore what Design and Applied Arts graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 92 programs nationwide.

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 NUC University

Business Administration ($34,933) HVAC Technology ($32,953) Precision Metalworking ($30,278) Computer Networking ($29,964) Electrical Repair Technology ($27,446) Electrical Engineering Technology ($26,836) Accounting ($26,373) Medical Assisting ($25,797)

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

How does NUC University's Design and Applied Arts program score?
This program scores 31/100 — 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. NUC University's 31/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Is NUC University a good choice for Design and Applied Arts despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at NUC University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Design and Applied Arts graduates?
Beyond NUC University's classroom route, 9 registered apprenticeships map to Design and Applied Arts careers — including Bank-Note Designer. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
What's the job market like for Design and Applied Arts from NUC University?
With approximately 101,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Design and Applied Arts offers a very large employment pool. NUC University graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →