Home › McNeese State University › Fine and Studio Arts

Fine and Studio Arts at McNeese State University

Lake Charles, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
37
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,226/yr (23% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 13.1x earnings multiple (11.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #45 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 $438K $442K $420K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.9x 13.1x 12.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 11.0x 11.1x 10.5x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 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)
$33,840
Out-of-state: $39,840 (11.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$45,028
-33% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,615
9.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$20,618
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Program Analysis

McNeese State University's Fine and Studio Arts graduates start at $31,226/yr — above the $25,391 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 13.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 36% task exposure — and the 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,615 debt-to-$31,226 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #45 out of 385 programs, McNeese State University's Fine and Studio Arts program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

About McNeese State University

McNeese State University's 68% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a smaller institution with 4,846 students in Lake Charles, LA.

See all programs and financial aid at McNeese 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 McNeese State University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($77,239) Engineering, General ($75,566) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($57,964) Finance and Financial Management Services ($49,216) Accounting and Related Services ($46,774) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($44,262) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($44,225) Agriculture, General ($37,887)

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

How does McNeese 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 McNeese State University rank so high for Fine and Studio Arts?
The #45 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 →