Fine and Studio Arts at Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
30 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
30
Optimistic
30
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,123/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 12.4x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #193 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs Top 50%

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 $454K $457K $432K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.3x 12.4x 11.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.2x 4.3x 4.0x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 30 30 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,768
Out-of-state: $107,084 (4.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,860
-60% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,000
11.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,916
41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $26,123 track close to the $25,391 national median for Fine and Studio Arts programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Fine and Studio Arts programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Fine and Studio Arts's typical career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,000 represents roughly 11 months of the $26,123 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #193 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs, Central Washington University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $26,123 to $36,916 over five years — a 41% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Central Washington University

Central Washington University has a 90% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 8,081 students in Ellensburg, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Central Washington 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

Fine and Studio Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Central Washington University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Fine and Studio Arts at Central Washington University?
A score of 30/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Fine and Studio Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →