Program Analysis
Graduates earn $23,661/yr, roughly in line with the $25,391 national median for Fine and Studio Arts. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.7x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
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 5% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $25,877 against $23,661/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 #291 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $38,246 show a 62% jump from the $23,661 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.