Fine and Studio Arts at DePaul University

Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
22 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
22
Optimistic
22
Base Case
18
Pessimistic
Earnings $27,291/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 2.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #343 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 $475K $477K $449K
Earnings Multiple 2.7x 2.7x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 22 22 18

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$177,840
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$116,564
34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,175
11.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,040
50% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $27,291 at DePaul University come in 7% above the national median of $25,391 for Fine and Studio Arts programs.

An earnings multiple of 2.7x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 36% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,175 debt-to-$27,291 income ratio translates to about 12 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #343 out of 385 programs, DePaul University's financial outcomes for Fine and Studio Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $27,291 to $41,040 over five years (50% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About DePaul University

DePaul University accepts 74% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 14,283 students in Chicago, IL. The average net cost of $116,564 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at DePaul 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 DePaul University

Consider the Trade Route?

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

How does DePaul University's Fine and Studio Arts program score?
This program scores 22/100 — on the lower end for Fine and Studio Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →