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Fine and Studio Arts at Mount Holyoke College

South Hadley, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $18,420/yr (-27% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)

ROI 1.5x earnings multiple

Ranked #277 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	$377K	$388K	$375K
Earnings Multiple	1.5x	1.5x	1.5x
Probability of Field Employment	41%	37%	31%
DegreeOutlook Score	27	26	25

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$256,568

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$118,248

54% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,447

15.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $18,420/yr fall 27% 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 1.5x — 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 1% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,447 against $18,420/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.3 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #277 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs, Mount Holyoke College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Mount Holyoke College

Mount Holyoke College admits 38% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, a smaller institution with 2,198 students in South Hadley, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $118,248 — 54% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Mount Holyoke College →

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 Mount Holyoke College

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Fine and Studio Arts at Mount Holyoke College?

A score of 26/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Fine and Studio Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Is Fine and Studio Arts at Mount Holyoke College worth the student debt?

Median debt of $23,447 against $18,420/yr starting salary means roughly 1.3 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.

Can you still earn well with Fine and Studio Arts from Mount Holyoke College?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Is Mount Holyoke College a hidden gem for Fine and Studio Arts?

After financial aid, the average student pays $118,248 over four years — 54% below the $256,568 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →