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Fine and Studio Arts at Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
37
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,967/yr (42% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 7.6x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #43 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 $485K $486K $456K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.6x 7.6x 7.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.3x 4.3x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 37 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$64,084
Out-of-state: $112,344 (4.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$75,984
-19% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,750
5.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,397
26% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Illinois State University Fine and Studio Arts graduates command $35,967/yr out of the gate, well above the $25,391 national median. That 42% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

At 7.6x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

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

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $17,750 in median debt clears quickly against $35,967 in annual earnings.

Ranked #43 out of 385 programs, Illinois State University's Fine and Studio Arts program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $35,967 to $45,397 shows 26% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Illinois State University

A 89% acceptance rate means Illinois State University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 18,414 in Normal, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at Illinois State 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

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 Illinois State University

Computer Science ($81,363) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($72,709) Construction Management ($70,672) Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications ($66,801) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($65,629) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($65,127) Accounting and Related Services ($62,940) Public Health ($59,207)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Fine and Studio Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Illinois State University's Fine and Studio Arts program score?
This program scores 37/100 — on the lower end for Fine and Studio Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why does Illinois State University rank so high for Fine and Studio Arts?
The #43 ranking out of 385 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →