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Fine and Studio Arts at University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
34 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
34
Optimistic
34
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $20,368/yr (-20% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 10.6x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #90 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs Top 25%

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 $645K $631K $576K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.9x 10.6x 9.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.5x 3.5x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 34 34 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$59,400
Out-of-state: $182,508 (3.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,916
-1% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,464
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,001
185% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $20,368 per year, Fine and Studio Arts graduates from University of California-Berkeley earn below the $25,391 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 10.6x 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 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $12,464 debt-to-$20,368 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #90 out of 385 programs, University of California-Berkeley's Fine and Studio Arts program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $20,368 to $58,001 over five years (185% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-Berkeley

With just 12% of applicants admitted, University of California-Berkeley ranks among the nation's most selective schools, with 33,073 students enrolled in Berkeley, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Berkeley →

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

Compare this program → View all 385 schools offering Fine and Studio Arts →

Fine and Studio Arts at Other Schools

Columbia University in the City of New York ($51,435) University of Southern California ($50,161) Ramapo College of New Jersey ($44,529) University of Nebraska at Kearney ($40,501) Barnard College ($39,947) Empire State University ($39,946) University of Pennsylvania ($38,820) Minnesota State University-Mankato ($38,717)

Other Majors at University of California-Berkeley

Computer Science ($149,866) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($137,295) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($90,008) Operations Research ($88,685) Mechanical Engineering ($88,497) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($88,030) Statistics ($83,227) Chemical Engineering ($81,553)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Fine and Studio Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 University of California-Berkeley's Fine and Studio Arts program score?
This program scores 34/100 — on the lower end for Fine and Studio Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why does University of California-Berkeley rank so high for Fine and Studio Arts?
The #90 ranking out of 385 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Why are Fine and Studio Arts earnings lower at University of California-Berkeley?
Lower starting pay at University of California-Berkeley may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →