Design and Applied Arts at Salt Lake Community College

Salt Lake City, UT · Public · Associate Degree

serving 17,247 students in Salt Lake City, UT.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,227 at Salt Lake Community College come in 19% above the national median of $28,654 for Design and Applied Arts programs.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 42.1x 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.

With first-year pay of $34,227 far exceeding the $10,088 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #26 of 92 Design and Applied Arts programs, Salt Lake Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

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

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
52
Score
54
High End
Earnings $34,227/yr (19% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$34K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
42.1x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
14 of 14
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$8,514
Out-of-state: $27,402
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,088
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,160
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

What can you do with a Design and Applied Arts credential from Salt Lake Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

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 Salt Lake Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 52/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at Salt Lake Community College?
A score of 52/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Design and Applied Arts field.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design and Applied Arts at Salt Lake Community College?
AI won't eliminate Design and Applied Arts careers, but it may reshape them. At Salt Lake Community College, a score of 52/100 already accounts for the 38% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
What's the typical debt for Design and Applied Arts graduates from Salt Lake Community College?
At $10,088 in median debt, Design and Applied Arts graduates from Salt Lake Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Design and Applied Arts program at Salt Lake Community College?
The DOL recognizes 9 apprenticeship pathways related to Design and Applied Arts. For students weighing Salt Lake Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Will Design and Applied Arts graduates from Salt Lake Community College find jobs?
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 →