Home › Kansas State University › Fine and Studio Arts

Fine and Studio Arts at Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS · Public · Bachelor's Degree
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
39
Optimistic
39
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,218/yr (11% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 12.3x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #30 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 $542K $538K $499K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.4x 12.3x 11.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.9x 4.8x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 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)
$43,768
Out-of-state: $111,264 (4.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$71,532
-63% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
11.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,823
84% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $28,218/yr, edging above the $25,391 national average for Fine and Studio Arts — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

With a 12.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 8% 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 $27,000 against $28,218/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

At #30 of 385 programs, this Fine and Studio Arts program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The $28,218-to-$51,823 earnings arc over five years reflects a 84% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Kansas State University

Kansas State University has a 79% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 14,835 students in Manhattan, KS.

See all programs and financial aid at Kansas 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 Kansas State University

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,758) Computer Engineering ($77,938) Industrial Engineering ($77,724) Chemical Engineering ($77,492) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($76,385) Agricultural and Food Products Processing ($76,052) Construction Engineering Technologies ($74,253) Architectural Engineering ($74,091)

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 39/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Fine and Studio Arts at Kansas State University?
At 39/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Fine and Studio Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →