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Design and Applied Arts at Tidewater Community College

Norfolk, VA · Public · Associate Degree

with a mid-sized student body of 11,797 in Norfolk, VA.

Program Analysis

Tidewater Community College's Design and Applied Arts graduates start at $22,935/yr, trailing the $28,654 national average by 20%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 26.8x 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 24% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Design and Applied Arts graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $11,348 in median debt clears fast against $22,935 in annual earnings.

At #65 out of 92 programs, Tidewater Community College's financial outcomes for Design and Applied Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $22,935 to $29,918 shows 30% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

40 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
35
Low End
40
Score
42
High End
Earnings $22,935/yr (-20% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$315K
6.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
27.6x
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)
$11,428
Out-of-state: $23,434
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,348
5.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$29,918
30% 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

See the full career breakdown for Design and Applied Arts — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Tidewater Community College and 91 other schools.

Read the full Design and Applied Arts career guide →

Compare & Explore

Design and Applied Arts Overview

View all 92 schools offering Design and Applied Arts →

Design and Applied Arts at Other Schools

Gnomon ($80,221) Miami Ad School-Atlanta ($56,833) Miami Ad School ($56,833) Interior Designers Institute ($52,768) The New School ($44,640) Century College ($43,778) Austin Community College District ($40,289) Minneapolis Community and Technical College ($40,230)

Other Majors at Tidewater Community College

Nursing ($69,764) Engineering ($68,555) Allied Health Professions ($62,524) Electrical Engineering Technology ($56,971) Mechanical Engineering Technology ($54,461) Vehicle Repair Technology ($47,722) Computer Science ($45,084) Allied Health Professions ($42,572)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Design and Applied Arts degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Tidewater Community College's Design and Applied Arts program score?
At 40/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Design and Applied Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design and Applied Arts at Tidewater Community College?
Our scenarios model 38% of Design and Applied Arts tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Tidewater Community College's 40/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Can you still earn well with Design and Applied Arts from Tidewater Community College?
Lower starting pay at Tidewater Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Design and Applied Arts program at Tidewater 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 Tidewater Community College.
What's the job market like for Design and Applied Arts from Tidewater 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 →