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Visual & Performing Arts · Fine Arts Rank #137 of 385

Fine Artsat American University

Graduates earn $35,115/yr in their first year — about 38.0% above the national Fine Arts average. Base-case 10-year earnings $459K; scenarios range from $434K to $456K depending on AI disruption.

Washington, DC Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
32 AT RISK
33
Optimistic
27
Pessimistic
Earnings
$35,115
1-year post-graduation
ROI
0.6x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$459K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
40% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at American University

American University's Fine and Studio Arts program consistently delivers stronger financial outcomes, largely due to its advantageous Washington, DC location. Unlike many art programs focused solely on gallery work, your experience here benefits from the city's unique ecosystem. The robust presence of museums like the Smithsonian, federal agencies, international organizations, and countless non-profits creates a distinct demand for creative talent in areas such as visual communication, exhibition design, and digital media. Graduates often find roles leveraging their artistic skills in marketing, advocacy, and educational outreach within these powerful institutions, rather than just traditional fine art creation. The program likely emphasizes practical applications and professional development, preparing you for creative roles that blend artistic vision with strategic communication. To maximize your potential, actively seek internships and networking opportunities within DC's diverse creative and institutional landscape, focusing on how your artistic skills can translate into these less conventional, yet highly rewarding, sectors.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$434K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score27/100
Earnings Multiple1.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$459K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score32/100
Earnings Multiple2.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$456K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score33/100
Earnings Multiple2.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to American University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Fine Arts graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Art directors
+4.2% 10-yr growth · 12,300 openings/yr
$111,040/yr
High
2
Special effects artists and animators
+1.6% 10-yr growth · 5,000 openings/yr
$99,800/yr
High
3
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 9,000 openings/yr
$80,190/yr
Moderate
4
Artists and related workers, all other
+0.8% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$72,760/yr
Low
5
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
6
Curators
+7.0% 10-yr growth · 1,800 openings/yr
$61,770/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Fine Arts

How American University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Columbia University in the City of New York
NY · Private nonprofit
37
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
1.0x
ROI
University of Southern California
CA · Private nonprofit
38
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
1.2x
ROI
Ramapo College of New Jersey
NJ · Public
45
DW Score
$45K
1-yr earn
6.7x
ROI
University of Nebraska at Kearney
NE · Public
46
DW Score
$41K
1-yr earn
12.2x
ROI
Barnard College
NY · Private nonprofit
36
DW Score
$40K
1-yr earn
0.5x
ROI
Also at American University

Other top programs at American University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at American University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Fine Arts offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Fine Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Fine Arts at American University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Fine Arts at American University?

A score of 32/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Fine Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.