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Fine and Studio Arts at California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
34 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
34
Optimistic
34
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings $21,493/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 17.9x earnings multiple (6.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #89 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs Top 25%

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 $503K $502K $469K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.9x 17.9x 16.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.7x 6.6x 6.2x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 34 34 31

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,032
Out-of-state: $75,552 (6.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$35,724
-27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,500
9.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,341
97% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $21,493 place California State University-Long Beach below the $25,391 national median for Fine and Studio Arts — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 17.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Fine and Studio Arts career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $16,500 against $21,493/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

California State University-Long Beach ranks #89 among 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $21,493-to-$42,341 earnings arc over five years reflects a 97% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Long Beach

A 47% admission rate makes California State University-Long Beach accessible to a wide range of qualified students, one of the larger campuses at 34,131 students in Long Beach, CA. With 49% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Long Beach →

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

Compare this program → View all 385 schools offering Fine and Studio Arts →

Fine and Studio Arts at Other Schools

Columbia University in the City of New York ($51,435) University of Southern California ($50,161) Ramapo College of New Jersey ($44,529) University of Nebraska at Kearney ($40,501) Barnard College ($39,947) Empire State University ($39,946) University of Pennsylvania ($38,820) Minnesota State University-Mankato ($38,717)

Other Majors at California State University-Long Beach

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($100,178) Construction Engineering Technologies ($89,003) Computer Engineering ($79,809) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,278) Civil Engineering ($73,342) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($66,477) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($66,090) Mechanical Engineering ($60,996)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Fine and Studio Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 34/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Fine and Studio Arts at California State University-Long Beach?
At 34/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Fine and Studio Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is California State University-Long Beach one of the best schools for Fine and Studio Arts?
Among 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs, California State University-Long Beach's #89 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Is California State University-Long Beach a good choice for Fine and Studio Arts despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-Long Beach's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →