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Fine and Studio Arts at Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
28 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
29
Optimistic
28
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings $27,136/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 11.1x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #219 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 $424K $430K $410K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.9x 11.1x 10.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.4x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 29 28 24

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,848
Out-of-state: $97,248 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,324
-58% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$31,631
17% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $27,136/yr, edging above the $25,391 national average for Fine and Studio Arts — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 11.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 36% task exposure — and the 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At #219 out of 385 programs, Colorado Mesa University's financial outcomes for Fine and Studio Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $27,136 to $31,631 over five years (17% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Colorado Mesa University

Colorado Mesa University has a 81% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 7,604 in Grand Junction, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Colorado Mesa 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 Colorado Mesa University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($69,631) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($65,284) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($54,004) Accounting and Related Services ($52,198) Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians ($49,827) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($46,316) Business/Commerce, General ($43,111) Social Work ($42,254)

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 Colorado Mesa University's Fine and Studio Arts program score?
This program scores 28/100 — on the lower end for Fine and Studio 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 →