Fine and Studio Arts at Vassar College

Poughkeepsie, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
21 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
21
Optimistic
21
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings $19,790/yr (-22% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 2.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #353 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 $740K $718K $647K
Earnings Multiple 2.7x 2.6x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 21 21 19

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$271,220
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$152,728
44% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,985
11.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,304
235% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $19,790 per year, Fine and Studio Arts graduates from Vassar College earn below the $25,391 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The financial case is thin at 2.6x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 13% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $18,985 represents roughly 12 months of the $19,790 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #353 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs, Vassar College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $66,304 show a 235% jump from the $19,790 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Vassar College

A 18% acceptance rate puts Vassar College in competitive admissions territory, a compact campus enrolling 2,430 students in Poughkeepsie, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $152,728 over four years — 44% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Vassar College →

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 Vassar College

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Fine and Studio Arts at Vassar College?
A score of 21/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Fine and Studio Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Can you still earn well with Fine and Studio Arts from Vassar College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →