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Fine and Studio Arts at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
41
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,927/yr (45% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 8.2x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #21 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs Top 5%

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 $510K $508K $474K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.2x 8.2x 7.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.5x 3.5x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 41 35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,912
Out-of-state: $146,776 (3.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$95,160
-54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
8.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,147
36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's Fine and Studio Arts program earn $36,927/yr in their first year — 45% above the $25,391 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

At 8.2x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 36% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,000 debt-to-$36,927 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #21 out of 385 programs, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's Fine and Studio Arts program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $36,927 to $50,147 shows 36% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

With a 57% acceptance rate, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is moderately selective, one of the larger campuses at 30,435 students in Blacksburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University →

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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($96,432) Computer Engineering ($86,636) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($83,364) Construction Engineering ($82,627) Industrial Engineering ($82,437) Chemical Engineering ($82,382) Applied Mathematics ($82,275) Engineering Mechanics ($81,735)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Fine and Studio Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

How does Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's Fine and Studio Arts program score?
This program scores 41/100 — on the lower end for Fine and Studio Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why does Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University rank so high for Fine and Studio Arts?
The #21 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →