Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $8,482/yr fall 67% below the $25,391 national median for Fine and Studio Arts. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The financial case is thin at 2.4x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.
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 -3% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $27,625 exceeds 3.3 years of the $8,482 starting salary — a significant financial commitment that requires careful planning.
Ranked #296 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs, Laguna College of Art and Design falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.