Design and Applied Arts at Oakland Community College

Auburn Hills, MI · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 11,772 students in Auburn Hills, MI.

Program Analysis

At $38,657 per year, Design and Applied Arts graduates from Oakland Community College significantly outpace the $28,654 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 67.0x 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.

At #5 of 92 nationally, this is a top-5% Design and Applied Arts program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

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

61 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
58
Low End
61
Score
63
High End
Earnings $38,657/yr (35% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$404K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
67.0x
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)
$6,040
Out-of-state: $11,120

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 Oakland Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Oakland Community College's Design and Applied Arts program score?
At 61/100, Oakland Community College's Design and Applied Arts program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Will AI affect Design and Applied Arts careers?
With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $404,439 in decade earnings vs $404,439 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Oakland Community College's Design and Applied Arts program stand out?
The #5 ranking out of 92 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Design and Applied Arts?
Yes — 9 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Design and Applied Arts career paths, including Bank-Note Designer. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Oakland Community College.
What's the job market like for Design and Applied Arts from Oakland Community College?
Job availability for Design and Applied Arts is strong — 101,000 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Oakland Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in MI may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →