Design and Applied Arts at Saint Louis Community College

Bridgeton, MO · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 11,174 students in Bridgeton, MO.

Program Analysis

Saint Louis Community College's Design and Applied Arts program produces graduates earning $25,929/yr — within striking distance of the $28,654 national average for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 44.9x 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 19% gap from the optimistic case.

At #39 of 92 Design and Applied Arts programs, Saint Louis Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $25,929 to $32,360 over five years — a 25% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

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

47 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
43
Low End
47
Score
49
High End
Earnings $25,929/yr (-10% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$337K
5.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
46.0x
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)
$7,320
Out-of-state: $13,980
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$32,360
25% growth from Year 1

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 Saint Louis Community College

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 Saint Louis Community College?
This program scores 47/100 — on the lower end for Design and Applied Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Will AI affect Design and Applied Arts careers?
AI exposure of 38% is a real factor. For Saint Louis Community College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($336,914) and pessimistic ($271,274) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
Are there apprenticeship options for Design and Applied Arts?
If Saint Louis Community College'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.
What's the job market like for Design and Applied Arts from Saint Louis Community College?
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 →