Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $18,072 place University of Massachusetts-Amherst below the $25,391 national median for Fine and Studio Arts — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 7.6x 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 8% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $22,375 against $18,072/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.2 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.
Ranked #313 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs, University of Massachusetts-Amherst falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $43,749 show a 142% jump from the $18,072 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.