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Fine and Studio Arts at University of South Carolina Aiken

Aiken, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $19,963/yr (-21% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)

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

ROI 9.8x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #338 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs

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	$416K	$422K	$404K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.7x	9.8x	9.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.9x	5.0x	4.8x
Probability of Field Employment	41%	37%	31%
DegreeOutlook Score	23	23	21

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$43,040

Out-of-state: $84,872 (5.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$46,444

-8% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,552

12.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$28,243

41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $19,963 place University of South Carolina Aiken below the $25,391 national median for Fine and Studio Arts — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

A 9.8x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 3% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Fine and Studio Arts career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At a 1.0x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #338 ranking among 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs places University of South Carolina Aiken in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 41% earnings increase from $19,963 to $28,243 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of South Carolina Aiken

University of South Carolina Aiken accepts 80% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 2,805 students in Aiken, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Carolina Aiken →

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 South Carolina Aiken

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 23/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Fine and Studio Arts at University of South Carolina Aiken?

At 23/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Fine and Studio Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

What's the payoff timeline for a Fine and Studio Arts degree from University of South Carolina Aiken?

At $20,552 in median debt, graduates carry 12 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.

Is University of South Carolina Aiken a good choice for Fine and Studio Arts despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If University of South Carolina Aiken's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

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