Fine and Studio Arts at Arcadia University

Glenside, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
18 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
18
Optimistic
18
Base Case
16
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,389/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 2.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #367 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Fine and Studio Arts graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $450K $454K $429K
Earnings Multiple 2.3x 2.3x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 18 18 16

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$193,160
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$103,464
46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,975
14.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,890
56% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $22,389/yr, roughly in line with the $25,391 national median for Fine and Studio Arts. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The financial case is thin at 2.3x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Fine and Studio Arts's typical career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,975 against $22,389/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.2 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #367 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs, Arcadia University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $34,890 show a 56% jump from the $22,389 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Arcadia University

Arcadia University accepts 79% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 1,799 students in Glenside, PA. The average net cost of $103,464 over four years represents a 46% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Arcadia University →

Top Career Paths

Art directors $111,040/yr
Special effects artists and animators $99,800/yr
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190/yr
View all 12 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Fine and Studio Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Arcadia University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Fine and Studio Arts at Arcadia University?
A score of 18/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Fine and Studio Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Fine and Studio Arts at Arcadia University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $26,975 against $22,389/yr starting salary means roughly 1.2 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →