Design and Applied Arts at Rasmussen University-Kansas

Topeka, KS · Private for-profit · Associate Degree

with a smaller student body of 333 in Topeka, KS.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $32,246/yr, edging above the $28,654 national average for Design and Applied Arts — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 11.0x 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.

Median debt of $23,820 represents roughly 9 months of the $32,246 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

Ranked #59 of 92 Design and Applied Arts programs, Rasmussen University-Kansas 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.

42 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
38
Low End
42
Score
44
High End
Earnings $32,246/yr (13% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$337K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
11.0x
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
$30,680
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,820
8.9 months of Year 1 earnings

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 Rasmussen University-Kansas

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Rasmussen University-Kansas's Design and Applied Arts program score?
A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design and Applied Arts at Rasmussen University-Kansas?
Our scenarios model 38% of Design and Applied Arts tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Rasmussen University-Kansas's 42/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Design and Applied Arts graduates?
If Rasmussen University-Kansas'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.
Will Design and Applied Arts graduates from Rasmussen University-Kansas find jobs?
The career paths mapped to Design and Applied Arts have roughly 101,000 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →