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Fine and Studio Arts at Winthrop University

Rock Hill, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
23 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
24
Optimistic
23
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings $16,817/yr (-34% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 8.1x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #339 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 $518K $516K $480K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.1x 8.1x 7.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.3x 4.3x 4.0x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 24 23 22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$63,824
Out-of-state: $121,144 (4.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,412
-2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
19.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,824
143% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $16,817 place Winthrop University below the $25,391 national median for Fine and Studio Arts — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

A 8.1x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 7% 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 1.6x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #339 ranking among 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs places Winthrop University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $16,817-to-$40,824 earnings arc over five years reflects a 143% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Winthrop University

Winthrop University accepts 75% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 3,424 students in Rock Hill, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at Winthrop 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 Winthrop University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($64,302) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($44,568) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($41,708) Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($40,487) Special Education and Teaching ($40,435) Design and Applied Arts ($40,119) Communication and Media Studies ($35,198) Social Work ($35,070)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Fine and Studio Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Winthrop University?
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 Winthrop University?
At $27,000 in median debt, graduates carry 19 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Is Winthrop University a good choice for Fine and Studio Arts despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Winthrop University'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 →