Fine and Studio Arts at Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
36
Optimistic
35
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,084/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 12.8x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #84 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 $486K $487K $456K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.8x 12.8x 12.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.2x 4.2x 3.9x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 35 31

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,024
Out-of-state: $116,168 (4.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$50,396
-33% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
8.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,459
49% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Middle Tennessee State University's Fine and Studio Arts graduates start at $29,084/yr — above the $25,391 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Fine and Studio Arts programs nationally.

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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,500 represents roughly 8 months of the $29,084 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #84 of 385 nationally, this is a top-5% Fine and Studio Arts program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $29,084 to $43,459 over five years — a 49% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University's 68% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, enrolling 16,115 students in Murfreesboro, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at Middle Tennessee 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

Fine and Studio Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Middle Tennessee State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Fine and Studio Arts at Middle Tennessee State University?
A score of 35/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Fine and Studio Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
What makes Middle Tennessee State University's Fine and Studio Arts program stand out?
Ranked #84 of 385 programs nationally, Middle Tennessee State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →