Design and Applied Arts at Rasmussen University-Minnesota

St. Cloud, MN · Private for-profit · Associate Degree

serving 8,033 students in St. Cloud, MN.

Program Analysis

Rasmussen University-Minnesota's Design and Applied Arts graduates start at $32,246/yr — above the $28,654 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 15.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 38% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Design and Applied Arts graduates.

The $23,820 debt-to-$32,246 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #49 out of 92 programs, Rasmussen University-Minnesota's financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

With 9 registered apprenticeships mapped to Design and Applied Arts, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

44 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
44
Score
46
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
15.5x
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
$21,798
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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Design and Applied Arts careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering arts & design.

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-Minnesota

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Design and Applied Arts at Rasmussen University-Minnesota?
A score of 44/100 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?
The 38% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Rasmussen University-Minnesota graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Design and Applied Arts program at Rasmussen University-Minnesota?
If Rasmussen University-Minnesota'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.
Is there demand for Design and Applied Arts workers?
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 →