Home › University of Northern Colorado › Fine and Studio Arts

Fine and Studio Arts at University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $30,663/yr (21% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)

ROI 10.3x earnings multiple (4.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #74 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	$493K	$493K	$462K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.3x	10.3x	9.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.7x	4.7x	4.4x
Probability of Field Employment	41%	37%	31%
DegreeOutlook Score	36	35	30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$48,040

Out-of-state: $104,816 (4.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$73,828

-54% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,123

9.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$45,240

48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $30,663/yr, edging above the $25,391 national average for Fine and Studio Arts — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.3x 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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,123 represents roughly 9 months of the $30,663 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #74 of 385 nationally, this is a top-5% Fine and Studio Arts program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $30,663 to $45,240 over five years — a 48% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Northern Colorado

University of Northern Colorado has a 86% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 5,693 students in Greeley, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Northern Colorado →

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 University of Northern Colorado

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Fine and Studio Arts at University of Northern Colorado?

A score of 35/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Fine and Studio Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

What makes University of Northern Colorado's Fine and Studio Arts program stand out?

Ranked #74 of 385 programs nationally, University of Northern Colorado lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →