Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $22,149 track close to the $25,391 national median for Fine and Studio Arts programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.3x 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 2% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $24,491 against $22,149/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.1 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.
Ranked #314 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs, The University of Montana falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $24,639 are relatively flat compared to the $22,149 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.