Fine and Studio Arts at San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,186/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 14.7x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #156 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs Top 50%

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 $457K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.7x 14.7x 13.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.0x 6.0x 5.7x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 31 29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,160
Out-of-state: $80,680 (6.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$64,696
-95% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,299
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,935
77% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $23,186/yr, Fine and Studio Arts graduates from San Diego State University land near the $25,391 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 14.7x 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 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $10,299 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #156 out of 385 programs, San Diego State University's Fine and Studio Arts offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $23,186 to $40,935 over five years (77% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About San Diego State University

A 34% acceptance rate puts San Diego State University in competitive admissions territory, with 33,654 students enrolled in San Diego, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at San Diego 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 San Diego 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

How does San Diego State University's Fine and Studio Arts program score?
This program scores 31/100 — on the lower end for Fine and Studio Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →