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Fine and Studio Arts at Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
21 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
21
Optimistic
21
Base Case
18
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,765/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 3.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #349 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 $489K $490K $459K
Earnings Multiple 3.8x 3.8x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 21 21 18

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$130,080
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$107,152
18% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
13.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,142
81% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $22,765/yr, roughly in line with the $25,391 national median for Fine and Studio Arts. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

At 3.8x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 6% 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 a 1.1x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #349 ranking among 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs places Columbia College Chicago in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $22,765-to-$41,142 earnings arc over five years reflects a 81% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Columbia College Chicago

Columbia College Chicago accepts 91% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 6,294 students in Chicago, IL. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Columbia College Chicago →

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 Columbia College Chicago

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($39,794) Marketing ($36,386) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($34,798) American Sign Language ($33,775) Journalism ($31,369) Design and Applied Arts ($29,630) Graphic Communications ($26,309) Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies ($25,060)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Fine and Studio Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 21/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Fine and Studio Arts at Columbia College Chicago?
At 21/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Fine and Studio Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Fine and Studio Arts degree from Columbia College Chicago?
At $25,000 in median debt, graduates carry 13 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →