Which state pays fine and studio arts bachelor's graduates the most?

Wisconsin, where the median program pays its graduates $30,077 in their first year, the highest of 27 state rankings. Minnesota is next, at $28,428.

Which fine and studio arts bachelor's program pays the most?

Columbia University in New York reports the highest first-year pay of the 371 programs ranked here, $51,435. Its median federal debt is $26,853.

How much debt do fine and studio arts bachelor's graduates have?

The median program leaves its graduates with $25,402 in federal debt. Across programs, the median debt is 97% of first-year pay.

Highest-Paying Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's) Programs in the US

384 programs report first-year pay
27 state rankings
Bachelor's in Fine and Studio Arts

College Scorecard June 2026 release · BLS wages May 2025

The short answer

The median fine and studio arts bachelor's program in the US pays its graduates $24,548 in their first year and $40,835 five years after. Wisconsin has the highest state median ($30,077), and North Carolina the lowest ($22,050). The median program leaves its graduates with $25,402 in federal debt.

Median first-year pay$24,548Across 384 programs

Median pay after 5 years$40,835Across 416 programs

Median federal debt$25,402Across 381 programs

Debt-to-earnings97%Across 355 programs

All 371 programs, ranked by graduate pay

Each program is ranked by the median pay of its graduates one year after they finished, from College Scorecard. This measures what graduates earn, not how good the teaching is. Pay also depends on where graduates live and work. Programs that don't report a figure are listed last when you sort by it.

#	School	Year 1 pay	After cost of living	Year 5 pay	Debt	Debt to pay
1	Columbia UniversityNew York, NY · private nonprofit	$51,435	Not adjusted	$55,731	$26,853	52%
2	USCLos Angeles, CA · private nonprofit	$50,161	$45,304	$61,391	$21,125	42%
3	Ramapo College of New JerseyMahwah, NJ · public	$44,529	$40,926	$49,456	$25,071	56%
4	University of Nebraska at KearneyKearney, NE · public	$40,501	$44,950	$43,720	$16,101	40%
5	Barnard CollegeNew York, NY · private nonprofit	$39,947	Not adjusted	Not reported	$18,750	47%
6	Empire State UniversitySaratoga Springs, NY · public	$39,946	$37,014	Not reported	$15,125	38%
7	UPennPhiladelphia, PA · private nonprofit	$38,820	Not adjusted	$50,835	$23,359	60%
8	Minnesota State MankatoMankato, MN · public	$38,717	$39,258	$42,457	$27,000	70%
9	UW-OshkoshOshkosh, WI · public	$38,585	$41,006	$40,965	$27,000	70%
10	SMUDallas, TX · private nonprofit	$38,154	Not adjusted	$62,394	Not reported	Not reported
11	Athens StateAthens, AL · public	$38,006	$42,788	$29,822	Not reported	Not reported
12	UW-PlattevillePlatteville, WI · public	$37,379	Not adjusted	$35,207	Not reported	Not reported
13	UMass BostonBoston, MA · public	$36,980	Not adjusted	$37,030	$27,000	73%
14	Virginia TechBlacksburg, VA · public	$36,927	$36,524	$50,147	$26,323	71%
15	Connecticut CollegeNew London, CT · private nonprofit	$36,564	Not adjusted	$46,300	$23,250	64%
16	Oklahoma StateStillwater, OK · public	$36,547	$41,605	Not reported	$21,111	58%
17	UMass LowellLowell, MA · public	$36,236	$34,263	$63,880	$27,000	75%
18	Cal Poly SLOSan Luis Obispo, CA · public	$36,006	$32,520	$87,876	$19,198	53%
19	Illinois StateNormal, IL · public	$35,967	$35,982	$45,397	$20,125	56%
20	Seattle Pacific UniversitySeattle, WA · private nonprofit	$35,938	Not adjusted	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
21	Fordham UniversityBronx, NY · private nonprofit	$35,929	$33,292	$52,420	$24,495	68%
22	Kennesaw StateKennesaw, GA · public	$35,846	$37,226	$34,990	$26,097	73%
23	Midwestern StateWichita Falls, TX · public	$35,589	Not adjusted	$32,427	Not reported	Not reported
24	USC UpstateSpartanburg, SC · public	$35,203	$37,550	$38,311	$26,500	75%
25	University of Alabama in HuntsvilleHuntsville, AL · public	$35,123	$39,543	Not reported	$27,000	77%
26	American UniversityWashington, DC · private nonprofit	$35,115	Not adjusted	Not reported	$23,250	66%
26	Texas Woman's UniversityDenton, TX · public	$35,115	$36,180	$45,315	$26,019	74%
28	UW-Eau ClaireEau Claire, WI · public	$34,582	$36,752	$45,142	$25,371	73%
29	Williams CollegeWilliamstown, MA · private nonprofit	$34,560	Not adjusted	$60,801	$11,850	34%
30	Texas TechLubbock, TX · public	$34,428	$35,472	$41,695	$27,846	81%
31	BYUProvo, UT · private nonprofit	$34,241	$34,634	$35,310	$16,656	49%
32	University of GeorgiaAthens, GA · public	$34,056	$35,367	$51,345	$21,947	64%
33	Nicholls StateThibodaux, LA · public	$33,877	$38,406	Not reported	$20,966	62%
34	Utah StateLogan, UT · public	$33,552	$33,938	$40,297	$17,500	52%
35	JMUHarrisonburg, VA · public	$33,501	$33,135	$50,618	$23,001	69%
36	Westfield StateWestfield, MA · public	$33,440	$31,620	$42,027	$27,000	81%
37	Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale, IL · public	$33,285	$33,299	$36,135	$26,500	80%
38	North Park UniversityChicago, IL · private nonprofit	$33,276	Not adjusted	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
39	Cal State East BayHayward, CA · public	$33,220	$30,004	$54,563	$16,625	50%
40	TCNJEwing, NJ · public	$33,214	$30,526	$56,001	$25,000	75%
41	University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT · public	$33,081	$33,461	$48,231	$23,506	71%
42	Shepherd UniversityShepherdstown, WV · public	$33,059	Not adjusted	$37,624	$21,500	65%
43	Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY · private nonprofit	$32,636	Not adjusted	Not reported	$27,000	83%
44	Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA · private nonprofit	$32,597	Not adjusted	Not reported	$21,500	66%
45	Montana StateBozeman, MT · public	$32,265	$34,091	$45,808	$26,000	81%
46	UMSLSaint Louis, MO · public	$32,224	$35,482	$46,619	$28,837	89%
47	UT AustinAustin, TX · public	$32,088	$33,061	$45,932	$24,057	75%
48	University of MarylandCollege Park, MD · public	$32,031	$30,518	$56,643	$20,000	62%
49	UW-MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI · public	$31,985	$33,992	$43,848	$28,000	88%
50	Western Oregon UniversityMonmouth, OR · public	$31,917	Not adjusted	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
51	Fort Hays StateHays, KS · public	$31,909	$35,428	$49,710	$22,937	72%
52	Marist UniversityPoughkeepsie, NY · private nonprofit	$31,907	Not adjusted	$63,338	$25,529	80%
53	University of North FloridaJacksonville, FL · public	$31,770	$30,721	$44,769	$27,000	85%
54	Northern Kentucky UniversityHighland Heights, KY · public	$31,448	$34,881	$37,053	$25,724	82%
55	George Fox UniversityNewberg, OR · private nonprofit	$31,401	$30,380	$41,721	$26,000	83%
56	Keene State CollegeKeene, NH · public	$31,390	Not adjusted	Not reported	$27,000	86%
57	University of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI · public	$31,367	Not adjusted	$51,802	$19,319	62%
58	McNeese StateLake Charles, LA · public	$31,226	$35,401	Not reported	$23,615	76%
59	IU SoutheastNew Albany, IN · public	$31,194	$33,424	Not reported	$18,942	61%
60	CU DenverDenver, CO · public	$31,144	$30,222	$48,906	$25,490	82%
61	Bowling Green StateBowling Green, OH · public	$31,128	$33,553	$39,113	$27,000	87%
62	Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY · private nonprofit	$31,073	Not adjusted	$73,168	$17,153	55%
63	Sam Houston StateHuntsville, TX · public	$30,999	$31,939	Not reported	$31,000	100%
64	Northeastern Illinois UniversityChicago, IL · public	$30,845	$30,858	$53,398	$20,319	66%
65	UABBirmingham, AL · public	$30,809	$34,686	$41,015	$25,000	81%
66	UA Little RockLittle Rock, AR · public	$30,733	$35,351	$38,965	$25,402	83%
67	University of ArizonaTucson, AZ · public	$30,683	$30,477	$36,573	$19,290	63%
68	University of Northern ColoradoGreeley, CO · public	$30,663	$29,755	$45,240	$25,000	82%
69	NC StateRaleigh, NC · public	$30,577	$32,416	Not reported	$27,000	88%
70	Minnesota State MoorheadMoorhead, MN · public	$30,521	Not adjusted	$39,517	$27,000	88%
71	UW-MadisonMadison, WI · public	$30,503	$32,417	$39,038	$19,316	63%
72	Plymouth StatePlymouth, NH · public	$30,491	$29,272	$43,346	$27,000	89%
73	Skidmore CollegeSaratoga Springs, NY · private nonprofit	$30,480	Not adjusted	$61,804	$18,500	61%
74	University of Alaska AnchorageAnchorage, AK · public	$30,311	$29,612	$32,369	$24,872	82%
75	Dartmouth CollegeHanover, NH · private nonprofit	$30,246	Not adjusted	Not reported	$13,663	45%
76	Vermont StateRandolph, VT · public	$30,233	$30,863	$36,274	Not reported	Not reported
77	Colorado StateFort Collins, CO · public	$30,143	$29,250	$44,547	$21,500	71%
78	UW-StoutMenomonie, WI · public	$30,077	Not adjusted	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
79	Saint Cloud StateSaint Cloud, MN · public	$30,051	$30,471	$49,228	$31,000	103%
80	Concordia College at MoorheadMoorhead, MN · private nonprofit	$29,986	Not adjusted	$39,982	$27,000	90%
81	Towson UniversityTowson, MD · public	$29,958	$28,543	$44,824	$17,978	60%
82	Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts DevelopmentSanta Fe, NM · public	$29,835	Not adjusted	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
83	William & MaryWilliamsburg, VA · public	$29,752	Not adjusted	$52,022	Not reported	Not reported
84	Bridgewater StateBridgewater, MA · public	$29,595	$27,984	$46,680	$27,000	91%
85	University of CincinnatiCincinnati, OH · public	$29,431	$31,723	$40,407	$28,943	98%
86	Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaBloomsburg, PA · public	$29,377	$30,108	$38,524	$25,000	85%
87	Monmouth UniversityWest Long Branch, NJ · private nonprofit	$29,353	$26,978	$58,008	$27,000	92%
88	IU BloomingtonBloomington, IN · public	$29,344	$31,441	$42,578	$19,500	66%
89	UW-Stevens PointStevens Point, WI · public	$29,334	$31,175	$36,611	$26,000	89%
90	Missouri Southern StateJoplin, MO · public	$29,309	Not adjusted	$31,724	Not reported	Not reported
91	Youngstown StateYoungstown, OH · public	$29,203	$31,478	$38,528	$31,000	106%
92	Ohio StateColumbus, OH · public	$29,186	$31,459	$41,781	$26,849	92%
93	Middle Tennessee StateMurfreesboro, TN · public	$29,084	$31,658	$43,459	$24,760	85%
94	Ohio UniversityAthens, OH · public	$29,053	$31,316	$36,864	$26,000	89%
95	Sonoma StateRohnert Park, CA · public	$29,035	$26,224	$39,954	$18,460	64%
96	University of DenverDenver, CO · private nonprofit	$28,964	Not adjusted	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
97	University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha, NE · public	$28,942	$32,121	$41,887	$26,202	91%
98	Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti, MI · public	$28,890	$30,026	$40,678	$27,250	94%
98	University of Southern IndianaEvansville, IN · public	$28,890	$30,955	$43,544	$22,637	78%
100	Framingham StateFramingham, MA · public	$28,843	$27,273	Not reported	$27,000	94%
101	UW-River FallsRiver Falls, WI · public	$28,801	Not adjusted	$37,902	$30,084	104%
102	University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE · public	$28,783	$31,945	$42,040	$21,500	75%
103	FAUBoca Raton, FL · public	$28,726	$27,778	$41,690	$14,750	51%
104	UIUCChampaign, IL · public	$28,669	$28,681	$33,080	$21,356	74%
105	University of Central ArkansasConway, AR · public	$28,604	$32,902	$38,265	$25,351	89%
106	Wheaton College (Massachusetts)Norton, MA · private nonprofit	$28,574	Not adjusted	$44,139	Not reported	Not reported
107	University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY · public	$28,485	$31,594	$36,725	$25,000	88%
108	University of Puget SoundTacoma, WA · private nonprofit	$28,469	Not adjusted	$48,354	$26,345	93%
109	Texas StateSan Marcos, TX · public	$28,445	$29,308	$39,521	$26,928	95%
110	Southeast Missouri StateCape Girardeau, MO · public	$28,421	$31,295	$36,199	$19,000	67%
111	Ball StateMuncie, IN · public	$28,405	$30,435	$42,441	$25,637	90%
112	Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green, KY · public	$28,291	$31,379	$34,236	$27,000	95%
113	Saginaw Valley StateUniversity Center, MI · public	$28,289	$29,401	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
114	Rhode Island CollegeProvidence, RI · public	$28,241	$27,611	$42,389	$23,500	83%
115	Kansas StateManhattan, KS · public	$28,218	$31,330	$51,823	$27,000	96%
116	University of IowaIowa City, IA · public	$28,008	$31,914	$45,645	$27,000	96%
117	Purdue Fort WayneFort Wayne, IN · public	$27,775	$29,760	$41,562	$26,873	97%
118	ASUTempe, AZ · public	$27,762	$27,575	$43,348	$23,395	84%
119	University of Nevada-Las VegasLas Vegas, NV · public	$27,740	$27,746	$42,682	$29,719	107%
120	IU IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN · public	$27,595	$29,567	$41,978	$22,750	82%
121	Lehman CollegeBronx, NY · public	$27,582	$25,558	$46,586	$9,630	35%
122	Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA · public	$27,535	$27,234	$42,327	$31,000	113%
123	Wichita StateWichita, KS · public	$27,518	$30,552	$28,692	$28,150	102%
124	University of South CarolinaColumbia, SC · public	$27,467	$29,298	$40,790	$27,000	98%
125	DePaul UniversityChicago, IL · private nonprofit	$27,291	$27,302	$41,040	$26,999	99%
126	Tarleton StateStephenville, TX · public	$27,259	$28,086	Not reported	$20,566	75%
127	University of Central MissouriWarrensburg, MO · public	$27,236	$29,990	$36,129	$28,000	103%
128	University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNorman, OK · public	$27,218	$30,985	$40,952	$23,250	85%
129	Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, CA · private nonprofit	$27,210	$24,576	$65,224	$23,600	87%
130	University of WyomingLaramie, WY · public	$27,156	$29,297	$49,424	$15,880	58%
131	Colorado Mesa UniversityGrand Junction, CO · public	$27,136	$26,332	$31,631	Not reported	Not reported
132	PurdueWest Lafayette, IN · public	$27,114	Not adjusted	Not reported	$21,128	78%
133	UNTDenton, TX · public	$27,067	$27,888	$42,079	$24,000	89%
134	SUNY OneontaOneonta, NY · public	$27,031	$25,047	$41,305	Not reported	Not reported
135	Troy UniversityTroy, AL · public	$26,917	$30,304	$43,741	$26,000	97%
136	St Olaf CollegeNorthfield, MN · private nonprofit	$26,870	$27,246	$43,251	$25,000	93%
137	SUNY BrockportBrockport, NY · public	$26,855	$24,884	$43,419	$23,000	86%
138	Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL · public	$26,795	$26,806	$41,109	$25,781	96%
139	Florida StateTallahassee, FL · public	$26,785	$25,901	$43,443	$20,222	75%
140	University of PittsburghPittsburgh, PA · public	$26,709	$27,374	$59,030	$23,477	88%
141	Lee UniversityCleveland, TN · private nonprofit	$26,598	$28,952	Not reported	$29,750	112%
142	Southern Connecticut StateNew Haven, CT · public	$26,549	$25,624	$47,210	$25,000	94%
143	University of HoustonHouston, TX · public	$26,482	$27,285	$44,142	$21,845	82%
144	Moravian UniversityBethlehem, PA · private nonprofit	$26,472	$27,131	Not reported	$27,000	102%
145	University of MemphisMemphis, TN · public	$26,451	$28,792	$41,028	$28,850	109%
146	University of OregonEugene, OR · public	$26,404	$25,545	$30,736	$24,000	91%
147	Eastern Illinois UniversityCharleston, IL · public	$26,213	$26,224	$34,631	$25,000	95%
148	Western Illinois UniversityMacomb, IL · public	$26,196	$26,207	$43,046	$27,000	103%
149	Salem StateSalem, MA · public	$26,180	$24,755	$44,271	$27,000	103%
150	Central Washington UniversityEllensburg, WA · public	$26,123	$24,411	$36,916	$25,000	96%
151	UW-WhitewaterWhitewater, WI · public	$26,122	$27,761	$44,175	$25,250	97%
152	Rowan UniversityGlassboro, NJ · public	$26,119	$24,005	$51,253	$21,708	83%
153	Metropolitan State University of DenverDenver, CO · public	$26,102	$25,329	$43,850	$31,000	119%
154	University of WashingtonSeattle, WA · public	$25,947	$24,247	$45,831	$13,667	53%
155	Kean UniversityUnion, NJ · public	$25,928	$23,830	$44,084	$28,750	111%
156	Pacific Northwest College of ArtPortland, OR · private nonprofit	$25,906	Not adjusted	$30,577	$27,000	104%
157	Lycoming CollegeWilliamsport, PA · private nonprofit	$25,858	Not adjusted	$47,184	$27,000	104%
158	UNC CharlotteCharlotte, NC · public	$25,855	$27,410	$42,892	$27,000	104%
159	SUNY PlattsburghPlattsburgh, NY · public	$25,762	$23,871	$36,497	$25,072	97%
160	Binghamton UniversityVestal, NY · public	$25,751	$23,861	$52,455	$22,286	87%
160	Columbus College of Art & DesignColumbus, OH · private nonprofit	$25,751	$27,757	$39,225	$27,000	105%
162	Indiana University of PennsylvaniaIndiana, PA · public	$25,694	$26,333	$48,975	$27,000	105%
163	University of Minnesota-DuluthDuluth, MN · public	$25,660	Not adjusted	$38,380	Not reported	Not reported
164	Eastern Kentucky UniversityRichmond, KY · public	$25,596	$28,390	$35,404	$27,375	107%
165	UMKCKansas City, MO · public	$25,476	$28,052	$42,535	$25,500	100%
166	University of HartfordWest Hartford, CT · private nonprofit	$25,465	$24,578	$44,333	$27,000	106%
167	Biola UniversityLa Mirada, CA · private nonprofit	$25,372	Not adjusted	$43,209	$27,000	106%
168	Stephen F. AustinNacogdoches, TX · public	$25,362	$26,131	$33,915	$26,000	103%
169	CSUNNorthridge, CA · public	$25,359	$22,904	$45,572	$15,000	59%
170	University of South DakotaVermillion, SD · public	$25,327	Not adjusted	$42,651	$27,000	107%
171	UH-Clear LakeHouston, TX · public	$25,274	$26,040	$49,518	$21,369	85%
172	Shippensburg University of PennsylvaniaShippensburg, PA · public	$25,269	$25,898	$45,335	$28,500	113%
173	Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville, IL · public	$25,259	$25,270	$38,018	$27,280	108%
174	UT ArlingtonArlington, TX · public	$25,156	$25,919	$48,032	$26,562	106%
175	University of MontevalloMontevallo, AL · public	$25,150	$28,315	$35,254	$26,000	103%
176	Stockton UniversityGalloway, NJ · public	$25,099	$23,068	$39,050	$27,000	108%
177	University of West GeorgiaCarrollton, GA · public	$25,093	$26,059	$43,410	$31,000	124%
178	BYU-IdahoRexburg, ID · private nonprofit	$25,081	Not adjusted	$32,453	$14,405	57%
179	NYUNew York, NY · private nonprofit	$25,053	Not adjusted	$62,042	$27,000	108%
180	Millersville University of PennsylvaniaMillersville, PA · public	$24,990	$25,612	$41,103	$27,000	108%
181	University of ArkansasFayetteville, AR · public	$24,970	$28,722	$43,864	$21,777	87%
182	Miami UniversityOxford, OH · public	$24,912	$26,852	$41,509	$27,000	108%
183	Queens CollegeQueens, NY · public	$24,910	$23,082	$42,545	$12,818	51%
184	University of Nevada-RenoReno, NV · public	$24,906	$24,911	$41,469	$23,500	94%
185	USFTampa, FL · public	$24,818	$23,999	$36,035	$22,500	91%
186	Angelo StateSan Angelo, TX · public	$24,783	$25,534	$35,101	$21,477	87%
187	City College of New YorkNew York, NY · public	$24,742	$22,926	$42,697	$15,849	64%
188	Frostburg StateFrostburg, MD · public	$24,649	$23,484	$29,461	$24,834	101%
189	San Francisco StateSan Francisco, CA · public	$24,606	$22,224	$36,596	$18,511	75%
190	Maine College of Art & DesignPortland, ME · private nonprofit	$24,555	$25,301	$33,351	$27,000	110%
191	Ferris StateBig Rapids, MI · public	$24,540	$25,505	$35,717	$27,000	110%
192	Cal State LALos Angeles, CA · public	$24,538	$22,162	$38,595	$19,087	78%
193	University of VermontBurlington, VT · public	$24,497	Not adjusted	$49,276	$25,500	104%
194	Marshall UniversityHuntington, WV · public	$24,475	$27,347	$31,004	$25,293	103%
195	UConnStorrs, CT · public	$24,419	$23,568	$54,934	$23,750	97%
196	University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY · public	$24,370	$22,581	$44,195	$19,500	80%
197	Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee, NC · public	$24,253	$25,712	$35,357	$26,000	107%
198	Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ · public	$24,172	$24,009	Not reported	$18,665	77%
199	Grand Valley StateAllendale, MI · public	$24,135	$25,084	$38,662	$27,000	112%
200	University of Northern IowaCedar Falls, IA · public	$24,095	$27,455	$40,846	$26,500	110%
201	College of CharlestonCharleston, SC · public	$24,070	$25,675	$38,359	$21,500	89%
202	Buffalo StateBuffalo, NY · public	$24,041	$22,276	$43,608	$23,000	96%
203	Missouri StateSpringfield, MO · public	$24,024	$26,453	$36,495	$27,750	116%
204	University of Mary WashingtonFredericksburg, VA · public	$24,013	$23,751	$42,236	$23,250	97%
205	UNC Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC · public	$24,005	$25,449	$42,572	$14,600	61%
206	School of the Art Institute of ChicagoChicago, IL · private nonprofit	$23,984	$23,994	$36,916	$27,000	113%
207	William Paterson University of New JerseyWayne, NJ · public	$23,892	$21,959	$42,774	$27,000	113%
208	UMBCBaltimore, MD · public	$23,879	$22,751	$46,105	$24,625	103%
209	University of West FloridaPensacola, FL · public	$23,843	$23,056	$37,399	$16,750	70%
210	University of FloridaGainesville, FL · public	$23,793	$23,008	$28,324	$16,863	71%
211	Northern Michigan UniversityMarquette, MI · public	$23,786	$24,721	$41,077	$27,000	114%
212	Pacific Lutheran UniversityTacoma, WA · private nonprofit	$23,766	$22,209	$27,811	$25,000	105%
213	University of TennesseeKnoxville, TN · public	$23,661	$25,755	$38,246	$27,000	114%
214	UTSASan Antonio, TX · public	$23,551	$24,265	$36,394	$26,000	110%
215	Eastern Connecticut StateWillimantic, CT · public	$23,534	$22,714	$49,915	$22,250	95%
216	University of North GeorgiaDahlonega, GA · public	$23,530	$24,436	$36,527	$22,375	95%
217	Utah Tech UniversitySaint George, UT · public	$23,524	$23,794	$37,147	$25,000	106%
218	UNC AshevilleAsheville, NC · public	$23,504	$24,918	$32,441	$23,942	102%
219	Fashion Institute of TechnologyNew York, NY · public	$23,428	$21,708	$52,313	$24,683	105%
220	Southeastern Louisiana UniversityHammond, LA · public	$23,405	$26,534	$35,458	$24,250	104%
221	UVACharlottesville, VA · public	$23,372	Not adjusted	$46,334	$19,500	83%
222	Cleveland StateCleveland, OH · public	$23,352	$25,171	$25,265	$27,978	120%
223	LSUBaton Rouge, LA · public	$23,348	$26,470	$41,462	$21,500	92%
224	UCFOrlando, FL · public	$23,324	$22,554	$42,318	$22,036	94%
225	IU South BendSouth Bend, IN · public	$23,308	$24,974	Not reported	$25,295	109%
225	Radford UniversityRadford, VA · public	$23,308	$23,053	$39,440	$26,000	112%
227	UMass DartmouthNorth Dartmouth, MA · public	$23,214	$21,950	Not reported	$27,000	116%
228	Wheaton CollegeWheaton, IL · private nonprofit	$23,202	Not adjusted	Not reported	$23,281	100%
229	San Diego StateSan Diego, CA · public	$23,186	$20,941	$40,935	$9,899	43%
230	Brown UniversityProvidence, RI · private nonprofit	$23,180	Not adjusted	$74,287	$17,300	75%
231	UL LafayetteLafayette, LA · public	$23,150	$26,245	$31,342	$26,000	112%
232	Coastal Carolina UniversityConway, SC · public	$23,121	$24,663	Not reported	$25,000	108%
233	Western Washington UniversityBellingham, WA · public	$23,102	$21,588	$41,889	$21,246	92%
234	Penn StateUniversity Park, PA · public	$23,086	$23,660	$44,809	$27,000	117%
235	Kenyon CollegeGambier, OH · private nonprofit	$23,082	Not adjusted	Not reported	$15,500	67%
236	WVUMorgantown, WV · public	$23,043	$25,747	$41,799	$24,121	105%
237	University of MissouriColumbia, MO · public	$23,034	$25,363	$46,367	$22,000	96%
238	Florida Gulf Coast UniversityFort Myers, FL · public	$22,967	$22,209	$44,275	$22,980	100%
239	SUNY College at PotsdamPotsdam, NY · public	$22,964	$21,279	$30,266	$27,000	118%
240	Alfred UniversityAlfred, NY · private nonprofit	$22,912	$21,230	$35,338	$27,000	118%
241	Kansas City Art InstituteKansas City, MO · private nonprofit	$22,906	$25,222	$35,319	$27,000	118%
242	Oglethorpe UniversityAtlanta, GA · private nonprofit	$22,866	Not adjusted	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
243	Oakland UniversityRochester Hills, MI · public	$22,840	$23,738	$31,247	Not reported	Not reported
244	Cal State FullertonFullerton, CA · public	$22,839	$20,628	$46,226	$16,448	72%
245	University of AkronAkron, OH · public	$22,837	$24,616	$32,675	$25,919	113%
246	Columbus StateColumbus, GA · public	$22,798	$23,676	Not reported	$30,430	133%
247	Pace UniversityNew York, NY · private nonprofit	$22,789	Not adjusted	$53,298	Not reported	Not reported
248	Hunter CollegeNew York, NY · public	$22,788	$21,115	$43,650	$10,000	44%
249	Columbia College ChicagoChicago, IL · private nonprofit	$22,765	$22,775	$41,142	$26,000	114%
250	Fort Lewis CollegeDurango, CO · public	$22,754	$22,080	$38,124	$16,500	73%
251	UC DavisDavis, CA · public	$22,700	$20,502	$46,486	$15,061	66%
252	Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn, NY · public	$22,633	$20,972	$43,604	$12,000	53%
253	Wright StateDayton, OH · public	$22,631	$24,394	$35,293	$29,259	129%
254	Chico StateChico, CA · public	$22,628	$20,437	$44,754	$14,990	66%
255	University of IdahoMoscow, ID · public	$22,617	$23,684	$44,641	$25,239	112%
256	Full Sail UniversityWinter Park, FL · private for-profit	$22,603	Not adjusted	Not reported	$30,500	135%
257	Arcadia UniversityGlenside, PA · private nonprofit	$22,389	Not adjusted	$34,890	$26,975	120%
258	FIUMiami, FL · public	$22,334	$21,597	$30,315	$17,250	77%
259	Ohio Wesleyan UniversityDelaware, OH · private nonprofit	$22,239	Not adjusted	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
260	Fresno StateFresno, CA · public	$22,167	$20,021	$40,618	$14,937	67%
261	University of MontanaMissoula, MT · public	$22,149	Not adjusted	$24,639	$26,187	118%
262	Cal State Channel IslandsCamarillo, CA · public	$22,129	$19,986	$46,275	$15,000	68%
263	Appalachian StateBoone, NC · public	$22,120	$23,451	$34,209	$21,985	99%
264	Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · public	$22,108	$22,658	$39,186	$26,000	118%
265	North Carolina Central UniversityDurham, NC · public	$21,980	$23,302	Not reported	$31,000	141%
266	UICChicago, IL · public	$21,954	$21,963	$41,311	$26,000	118%
267	University of DelawareNewark, DE · public	$21,935	Not adjusted	$46,082	$25,908	118%
268	Montclair StateMontclair, NJ · public	$21,934	$20,159	$43,683	$27,000	123%
269	VCURichmond, VA · public	$21,916	$21,677	$38,214	$23,374	107%
270	RutgersNew Brunswick, NJ · public	$21,908	$20,135	$48,946	$25,975	119%
271	UTRGVEdinburg, TX · public	$21,891	$22,555	$33,171	$17,687	81%
272	University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL · public	$21,836	$24,584	$45,258	$25,000	114%
273	UC RiversideRiverside, CA · public	$21,792	$19,682	$41,498	$17,500	80%
274	UC San DiegoLa Jolla, CA · public	$21,777	$19,669	$45,044	$15,218	70%
275	Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI · public	$21,773	$22,629	Not reported	$28,495	131%
276	UT ChattanoogaChattanooga, TN · public	$21,766	$23,692	$40,776	$25,000	115%
277	Murray StateMurray, KY · public	$21,715	$24,085	$37,409	$24,619	113%
278	Lander UniversityGreenwood, SC · public	$21,605	$23,046	$34,415	$26,937	125%
279	Montserrat College of ArtBeverly, MA · private nonprofit	$21,543	$20,370	$33,327	$27,000	125%
280	Georgia CollegeMilledgeville, GA · public	$21,542	$22,371	$32,903	$26,000	121%
281	Pennsylvania Western UniversityCalifornia, PA · public	$21,523	$22,059	$35,098	Not reported	Not reported
282	Cal State Long BeachLong Beach, CA · public	$21,493	$19,412	$42,341	$16,583	77%
283	Massachusetts College of Art and DesignBoston, MA · public	$21,461	$20,293	$34,716	$26,000	121%
284	University of ToledoToledo, OH · public	$21,392	$23,058	$36,842	$26,750	125%
285	School of Visual ArtsNew York, NY · private for-profit	$21,344	$19,777	$22,577	$27,000	126%
286	Stanislaus StateTurlock, CA · public	$21,288	$19,227	$37,911	$15,750	74%
287	East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC · public	$21,271	$22,551	$41,407	$27,000	127%
288	Valdosta StateValdosta, GA · public	$21,255	$22,073	$31,168	$27,290	128%
289	Georgia StateAtlanta, GA · public	$21,226	$22,043	$42,329	$27,349	129%
290	UCLALos Angeles, CA · public	$21,220	$19,165	$46,122	$14,000	66%
291	Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro, GA · public	$21,214	$22,031	$36,596	$29,500	139%
292	University of Rhode IslandKingston, RI · public	$21,167	$20,695	$42,027	$16,625	79%
293	Maryland Institute College of ArtBaltimore, MD · private nonprofit	$21,138	$20,139	$32,337	$27,000	128%
294	UC Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA · public	$21,106	$19,063	$35,979	$19,500	92%
295	University of Southern MainePortland, ME · public	$21,058	$21,698	$42,777	$18,703	89%
296	Cal Poly HumboldtArcata, CA · public	$21,052	$19,014	$35,523	$17,500	83%
297	The New SchoolNew York, NY · private nonprofit	$20,967	$19,428	Not reported	$25,000	119%
298	Wayne StateDetroit, MI · public	$20,948	$21,772	$40,450	$31,000	148%
299	Portland StatePortland, OR · public	$20,866	$20,187	$33,420	$35,125	168%
300	Jacksonville StateJacksonville, AL · public	$20,826	$23,447	$37,137	$24,625	118%
301	Hofstra UniversityHempstead, NY · private nonprofit	$20,770	Not adjusted	$60,092	$21,500	104%
302	Milwaukee Institute of Art & DesignMilwaukee, WI · private nonprofit	$20,762	$22,065	$32,788	$27,000	130%
303	SCADSavannah, GA · private nonprofit	$20,643	Not adjusted	$34,897	$27,000	131%
304	Salisbury UniversitySalisbury, MD · public	$20,632	$19,657	$47,681	$24,239	117%
305	University of South AlabamaMobile, AL · public	$20,527	$23,110	$39,891	$30,066	146%
306	UC BerkeleyBerkeley, CA · public	$20,368	$18,396	$58,001	$13,254	65%
307	Sacramento StateSacramento, CA · public	$20,203	$18,247	$43,739	$15,879	79%
308	University of MinnesotaMinneapolis, MN · public	$20,192	$20,474	$42,480	$23,956	119%
309	Smith CollegeNorthampton, MA · private nonprofit	$20,171	Not adjusted	$38,376	$19,000	94%
310	University at AlbanyAlbany, NY · public	$20,116	$18,640	Not reported	$22,625	112%
311	Grinnell CollegeGrinnell, IA · private nonprofit	$20,111	Not adjusted	Not reported	$16,750	83%
312	UNC WilmingtonWilmington, NC · public	$20,072	$21,279	$34,919	$26,672	133%
313	Berea CollegeBerea, KY · private nonprofit	$20,036	Not adjusted	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
314	University of South Carolina AikenAiken, SC · public	$19,963	$21,294	$28,243	$23,567	118%
315	Vassar CollegePoughkeepsie, NY · private nonprofit	$19,790	Not adjusted	$66,304	$18,985	96%
316	Michigan StateEast Lansing, MI · public	$19,566	$20,335	$43,016	$30,875	158%
317	UTEPEl Paso, TX · public	$19,506	$20,097	$34,170	$19,778	101%
318	Kutztown University of PennsylvaniaKutztown, PA · public	$19,413	$19,896	$38,959	$27,000	139%
319	UW-La CrosseLa Crosse, WI · public	$19,407	$20,625	$34,538	$19,750	102%
320	Bard CollegeAnnandale-On-Hudson, NY · private nonprofit	$19,327	$17,908	Not reported	$27,000	140%
321	New Jersey City UniversityJersey City, NJ · public	$19,326	$17,762	$46,398	$19,000	98%
322	Texas A&M International UniversityLaredo, TX · public	$19,300	$19,885	$46,451	$14,672	76%
323	Emporia StateEmporia, KS · public	$19,276	$21,402	$34,132	$25,129	130%
324	Shawnee StatePortsmouth, OH · public	$19,261	$20,761	$33,641	$28,750	149%
325	Tennessee Technological UniversityCookeville, TN · public	$19,231	$20,933	$39,208	$13,935	72%
326	University of New MexicoAlbuquerque, NM · public	$19,227	$20,851	$33,069	$22,500	117%
327	Austin PeayClarksville, TN · public	$19,157	$20,852	$39,352	$24,750	129%
328	Kent StateKent, OH · public	$19,138	$20,629	$33,881	$28,501	149%
329	Ringling College of Art and DesignSarasota, FL · private nonprofit	$18,932	$18,307	Not reported	$27,000	143%
330	SUNY New PaltzNew Paltz, NY · public	$18,842	$17,459	$29,713	$23,562	125%
331	Cleveland Institute of ArtCleveland, OH · private nonprofit	$18,839	$20,306	Not reported	$27,000	143%
332	UNC GreensboroGreensboro, NC · public	$18,745	$19,873	$39,499	$25,000	133%
333	Flagler CollegeSaint Augustine, FL · private nonprofit	$18,694	$18,077	Not reported	$26,250	140%
334	Pratt InstituteBrooklyn, NY · private nonprofit	$18,451	$17,097	$29,782	$27,000	146%
335	Mount Holyoke CollegeSouth Hadley, MA · private nonprofit	$18,420	Not adjusted	Not reported	$23,447	127%
336	Ole MissUniversity, MS · public	$18,337	Not adjusted	$38,996	$26,225	143%
337	Auburn University at MontgomeryMontgomery, AL · public	$18,223	Not adjusted	$41,664	$30,000	165%
338	Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant, MI · public	$18,117	$18,829	$35,717	$31,000	171%
339	Albright CollegeReading, PA · private nonprofit	$18,099	Not adjusted	$44,043	$27,000	149%
340	UMass AmherstAmherst, MA · public	$18,072	$17,088	$43,749	$27,000	149%
341	California College of the ArtsSan Francisco, CA · private nonprofit	$17,690	$15,977	$34,104	$29,250	165%
342	UH ManoaHonolulu, HI · public	$17,626	$16,031	$41,067	$22,411	127%
343	Texas A&M-Corpus ChristiCorpus Christi, TX · public	$17,507	$18,038	$42,640	$29,475	168%
344	CU BoulderBoulder, CO · public	$17,501	Not adjusted	$40,219	$21,500	123%
345	Boston UniversityBoston, MA · private nonprofit	$17,374	Not adjusted	$56,132	$27,000	155%
346	Morehead StateMorehead, KY · public	$17,301	$19,189	$29,739	$25,000	145%
347	Adelphi UniversityGarden City, NY · private nonprofit	$17,155	$15,896	$40,504	$26,000	152%
348	Tufts UniversityMedford, MA · private nonprofit	$17,154	$16,220	$35,972	$25,250	147%
349	UC IrvineIrvine, CA · public	$16,989	$15,344	$48,982	$17,635	104%
350	Augusta UniversityAugusta, GA · public	$16,943	$17,595	Not reported	$27,741	164%
351	Winthrop UniversityRock Hill, SC · public	$16,817	$17,938	$40,824	$29,187	174%
352	East Tennessee StateJohnson City, TN · public	$16,696	$18,174	$26,651	$23,875	143%
353	Cooper UnionNew York, NY · private nonprofit	$16,678	$15,454	$26,581	$16,805	101%
354	University of KansasLawrence, KS · public	$16,629	$18,463	$34,492	$22,361	134%
355	Rhode Island School of DesignProvidence, RI · private nonprofit	$16,510	Not adjusted	$42,001	$27,000	164%
356	Fayetteville StateFayetteville, NC · public	$16,454	Not adjusted	Not reported	$27,497	167%
357	Keystone CollegeLa Plume, PA · private nonprofit	$16,392	$16,800	$36,865	$30,372	185%
358	Olivet Nazarene UniversityBourbonnais, IL · private nonprofit	$16,290	Not adjusted	$43,785	$27,000	166%
359	Truman StateKirksville, MO · public	$15,998	$17,616	$43,269	$27,000	169%
360	NC A&TGreensboro, NC · public	$15,257	$16,175	$32,619	$31,000	203%
361	SUNY Purchase CollegePurchase, NY · public	$14,984	$13,884	$30,385	$23,850	159%
362	Spalding UniversityLouisville, KY · private nonprofit	$14,940	$16,571	Not reported	$27,000	181%
363	University of Science and Arts of OklahomaChickasha, OK · public	$14,912	Not adjusted	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
364	Minneapolis College of Art and DesignMinneapolis, MN · private nonprofit	$14,829	$15,036	$36,667	$30,250	204%
365	Cal State San BernardinoSan Bernardino, CA · public	$14,447	$13,048	$36,910	$18,750	130%
366	Art Academy of CincinnatiCincinnati, OH · private nonprofit	$13,252	Not adjusted	$32,171	$27,000	204%
367	Otis College of Art and DesignLos Angeles, CA · private nonprofit	$11,590	$10,468	$24,402	$30,875	266%
368	Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine ArtsPhiladelphia, PA · private nonprofit	$10,780	$11,048	$28,984	$27,000	250%
369	Laguna College of Art and DesignLaguna Beach, CA · private nonprofit	$8,482	$7,661	Not reported	$27,625	326%
370	Escuela de Artes Plasticas y Diseno de Puerto RicoSan Juan, PR · public	$7,453	Not adjusted	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
371	UPR Rio PiedrasSan Juan, PR · public	$4,699	Not adjusted	$22,581	$5,500	117%

Pay after cost of living divides first-year pay by the Bureau of Economic Analysis price level of the school's state, where the US average is 100. It is shown for 300 programs where at least half of the graduates who work are working in the school's state. The other 71, whose graduates mostly work in other states or whose state has no price level, are listed last when you sort by it.

26 programs report pay but not debt, so they are ranked only by pay.

College Scorecard withholds pay for programs with too few graduates, to protect their privacy, so those programs can't be ranked. 13 more programs report pay but aren't listed, because College Scorecard's school file doesn't name their schools. The national medians above still count them.

Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's) programs by state

Each row is the median across the state's fine and studio arts bachelor's programs. State names link to the full ranking of that state's programs.

#	State	Programs	Year 1 pay	Debt
1	Wisconsin	11	$30,077	$26,000
2	Minnesota	8	$28,428	$27,000
3	Indiana	8	$28,090	$22,750
4	Colorado	8	$28,050	$23,250
5	Kansas	5	$27,518	$25,129
6	Texas	19	$26,482	$25,029
7	Illinois	15	$26,213	$26,000
8	Washington	6	$26,035	$23,123
9	Virginia	8	$25,774	$23,374
10	New Jersey	10	$25,514	$26,488
11	Missouri	9	$25,476	$27,000
12	Connecticut	5	$25,465	$23,750
13	Alabama	9	$25,150	$26,000
14	Pennsylvania	17	$24,990	$27,000
15	Massachusetts	16	$24,697	$27,000
16	Maryland	6	$24,264	$24,432
17	New York	35	$24,041	$23,000
18	Michigan	11	$23,786	$27,250
19	Kentucky	8	$23,656	$25,724
20	Florida	12	$23,559	$22,268
21	Louisiana	5	$23,405	$23,615
22	South Carolina	7	$23,121	$26,500
23	Ohio	17	$23,082	$27,000
24	Tennessee	8	$22,714	$24,880
25	Georgia	12	$22,170	$27,145
26	California	29	$22,129	$17,500
27	North Carolina	12	$22,050	$27,000

Programs in 24 more states and territories report pay, but too few to rank. A state ranking needs at least five programs that report both pay and debt.

Quick picks nationwide

Lowest median debt

Lehman College, NY$9,630
San Diego State, CA$9,899
Hunter College, NY$10,000
Williams College, MA$11,850
Brooklyn College, NY$12,000
Queens College, NY$12,818
UC Berkeley, CA$13,254
University of Washington, WA$13,667
Tennessee Technological University, TN$13,935
UCLA, CA$14,000

Lowest debt for the pay

Only the 295 programs with their own page here are included. "Debt for the pay" is median debt divided by first-year pay.

Careers this field leads to

These are the jobs that the federal crosswalk from fields of study to occupations links to fine and studio arts, largest first. Pay is the median across the US and all experience levels.

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

$72,040

Median pay in the US. 1,065,210 people work in this job in the US. Nationally, jobs are projected to stay about the same in number from 2025 to 2035, with about 63,500 openings a year. Typical education to start: bachelor's degree.

Bottom 10%: $48,780Top 10%: $107,600

Property Appraisers and Assessors

$67,960

Median pay in the US. 57,070 people work in this job in the US. Nationally, jobs are projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, with about 5,200 openings a year. Typical education to start: bachelor's degree.

Bottom 10%: $40,030Top 10%: $122,660

Art Directors

$114,850

Median pay in the US. 53,070 people work in this job in the US. Nationally, jobs are projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, with about 12,200 openings a year. Typical education to start: bachelor's degree, plus 5 years or more of related work experience.

Bottom 10%: $64,900Top 10%: $213,050

Photographers

$44,660

Median pay in the US. 51,760 people work in this job in the US. Nationally, jobs are projected to shrink 1% from 2025 to 2035, with about 10,700 openings a year. Typical education to start: high school diploma or equivalent.

Bottom 10%: $30,820Top 10%: $91,810

Common questions

The median fine and studio arts bachelor's program in the US pays its graduates $24,548 in their first year and $40,835 five years after.

About this data

Earnings and debt only include students who received federal financial aid, and earnings only count graduates who were working and not enrolled in more school.
Debt only includes federal loans. Private loans and credit cards are not counted.
Medians are across programs, not students: each program counts once, however many graduates it has.
National medians include every program in the 50 states, DC, and US territories, including schools that have since closed. Schools with several campuses that report one combined figure are counted once.
Programs are ranked by College Scorecard median pay one year after graduation. Pay after cost of living uses the price level of the school's state.
Scorecard figures describe graduating classes from several years ago. BLS wages are from May 2025. Price levels are the Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities for 2024.

Sources

U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, field of study and institution files, June 2026 release
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025 to 2035
NCES, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk
Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities, 2024