Fine and Studio Arts at James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,501/yr (32% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 9.5x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #36 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs Top 10%

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 $519K $517K $481K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.6x 9.5x 8.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.2x 4.2x 3.9x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 39 34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$54,304
Out-of-state: $123,160 (4.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$87,264
-61% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,125
7.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,618
51% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of James Madison University's Fine and Studio Arts program earn $33,501/yr in their first year — 32% above the $25,391 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.5x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Fine and Studio Arts's typical career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,125 represents roughly 8 months of the $33,501 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #36 of 385 programs, James Madison University's Fine and Studio Arts program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $50,618 show a 51% jump from the $33,501 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About James Madison University

James Madison University has a 76% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 20,497 students enrolled in Harrisonburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at James Madison 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 James Madison 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Fine and Studio Arts at James Madison University?
A score of 39/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Fine and Studio Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →