Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $14,447/yr fall 43% below the $25,391 national median for Fine and Studio Arts. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The 16.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 36% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $15,469 debt load exceeds a year of the $14,447 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.
At #243 out of 385 programs, California State University-San Bernardino's financial outcomes for Fine and Studio Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth from $14,447 to $36,910 over five years (155% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.