Fine Artsat Cornish College of the Arts
Graduates earn $16,621/yr in their first year — about 35.0% below the national Fine Arts average. Base-case 10-year earnings $399K; scenarios range from $384K to $390K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Cornish College of the Arts
A degree in Fine and Studio Arts from a specialized institution like Cornish, nestled in a vibrant but competitive city like Seattle, sets you on a distinct path. Unlike fields with direct corporate pipelines, fine arts careers often demand an entrepreneurial spirit, requiring you to build a personal brand, seek commissions, or teach. While the city boasts a rich arts scene and some larger creative roles, many graduates will forge their own opportunities, often blending artistic pursuits with other income streams in a high-cost-of-living environment. Your early career might involve significant hustle, networking within the local gallery scene, or leveraging your skills for design or media projects. Understanding that artistic success isn't always linear or immediately lucrative is key. Focus on developing a strong portfolio and business acumen alongside your creative talent.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Cornish College of the Arts's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Fine Arts
How Cornish College of the Arts stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Cornish College of the Arts
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cornish College of the Arts, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Fine Arts offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Fine Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Fine Arts at Cornish College of the Arts
What does a 16/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Fine Arts at Cornish College of the Arts?
At 16/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Fine Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Fine Arts degree from Cornish College of the Arts?
At $27,000 in median debt, graduates carry 19 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Is Cornish College of the Arts a good choice for Fine Arts despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Cornish College of the Arts's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.