Program Analysis
At $31,073 per year, Fine and Studio Arts graduates from Cornell University earn slightly above the $25,391 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
The financial case is thin at 2.6x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.
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 12% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $15,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
At #144 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs, Cornell University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $73,168 show a 135% jump from the $31,073 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.