Fine and Studio Arts at Skidmore College

Saratoga Springs, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
27
Optimistic
26
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,480/yr (20% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 2.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #284 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 $604K $595K $545K
Earnings Multiple 2.3x 2.3x 2.1x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 26 22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$260,120
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$138,324
47% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,500
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,804
103% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $30,480 per year, Fine and Studio Arts graduates from Skidmore College earn slightly above the $25,391 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

An earnings multiple of 2.3x 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 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $18,500 debt-to-$30,480 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #284 out of 385 programs, Skidmore College's financial outcomes for Fine and Studio Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $30,480 to $61,804 over five years (103% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Skidmore College

A 23% acceptance rate puts Skidmore College in competitive admissions territory, a smaller institution with 2,760 students in Saratoga Springs, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $138,324 over four years — 47% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Skidmore 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 Skidmore 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

How does Skidmore College's Fine and Studio Arts program score?
This program scores 26/100 — 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 →