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Fine and Studio Arts at Barnard College

New York, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
36
Optimistic
36
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,947/yr (57% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 1.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #63 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs Top 25%

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 $478K $480K $451K
Earnings Multiple 1.8x 1.8x 1.7x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 36 30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$264,984
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$157,012
41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,750
5.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Barnard College Fine and Studio Arts graduates command $39,947/yr out of the gate, well above the $25,391 national median. That 57% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

An earnings multiple of 1.8x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 36% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $18,750 in median debt clears quickly against $39,947 in annual earnings.

Ranked #63 out of 385 programs, Barnard College's Fine and Studio Arts program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

About Barnard College

Only 8% of applicants gain admission to Barnard College, reflecting elite selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 3,219 students in New York, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $157,012 over four years — 41% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Barnard 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

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) Empire State University ($39,946) University of Pennsylvania ($38,820) Minnesota State University-Mankato ($38,717) University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh ($38,585)

Other Majors at Barnard College

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($107,434) Economics ($85,860) Political Science and Government ($57,298) Sociology ($48,215) History ($48,092) Biology, General ($47,329) Research and Experimental Psychology ($44,055) Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($42,622)

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 Barnard College's Fine and Studio Arts program score?
This program scores 36/100 — on the lower end for Fine and Studio Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why does Barnard College rank so high for Fine and Studio Arts?
The #63 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 →