Fine Arts at Ball State University

Muncie, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Fine and Studio Arts

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,405/yr (12% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)

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

ROI 11.2x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Fine Arts graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$481K	$482K	$453K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.2x	11.2x	10.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.2x	4.2x	3.9x
Probability of Field Employment	41%	37%	31%
DegreeOutlook Score	33	33	29

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$43,032

Out-of-state: $115,064 (4.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$63,592

-48% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,000

10.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$42,441

49% growth from Year 1

Ball State University has a 72% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 13,770 students in Muncie, IN.

Art directors $111,040/yr

Special effects artists and animators $99,800/yr

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190/yr

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

How does Ball State University's Fine Arts program score?

This program scores 33/100 — on the lower end for Fine Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

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