Fine and Studio Arts at Maine College of Art & Design

Portland, ME · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
19 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
20
Optimistic
19
Base Case
16
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,555/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 2.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #361 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 $436K $441K $419K
Earnings Multiple 2.6x 2.7x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 20 19 16

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$165,592
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$145,772
12% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
13.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,351
36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $24,555/yr, roughly in line with the $25,391 national median for Fine and Studio Arts. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

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 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt load exceeds a year of the $24,555 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #361 out of 385 programs, Maine College of Art & Design's financial outcomes for Fine and Studio Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $24,555 to $33,351 shows 36% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Maine College of Art & Design

Maine College of Art & Design accepts 78% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 415 students in Portland, ME.

See all programs and financial aid at Maine College of Art & Design →

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 Maine College of Art & Design

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 Maine College of Art & Design's Fine and Studio Arts program score?
This program scores 19/100 — on the lower end for Fine and Studio Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Maine College of Art & Design Fine and Studio Arts graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →