Design and Applied Arts at Scottsdale Community College

Scottsdale, AZ · Public · Associate Degree

a smaller institution with 4,274 students in Scottsdale, AZ.

Program Analysis

Scottsdale Community College Design and Applied Arts graduates command $38,676/yr out of the gate, well above the $28,654 national median. That 35% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 85.8x 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 #2 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.

64 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
60
Low End
64
Score
65
High End
Earnings $38,676/yr (35% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$39K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
85.8x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
14 of 14
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,716
Out-of-state: $17,916
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,987
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

Explore what Design and Applied Arts graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 92 programs nationwide.

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 Scottsdale 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

How does Scottsdale Community College's Design and Applied Arts program score?
A score of 64/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Design and Applied Arts field.
How vulnerable is Design and Applied Arts to AI automation?
Our scenarios model 38% of Design and Applied Arts tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Scottsdale Community College's 64/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
What makes Scottsdale Community College's Design and Applied Arts program stand out?
Ranked #2 of 92 programs nationally, Scottsdale Community College lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can I learn Design and Applied Arts through an apprenticeship instead of Scottsdale Community College?
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 Scottsdale Community College.
Will Design and Applied Arts graduates from Scottsdale 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 →