Fine Arts at CUNY City College
New York, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Fine and Studio Arts
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
36
Optimistic
35
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings
$24,742/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI
16.8x earnings multiple (8.1x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Fine Arts graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $493K | $493K | $462K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 16.8x | 16.8x | 15.7x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 8.1x | 8.1x | 7.5x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 41% | 37% | 31% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 36 | 35 | 32 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,360
Out-of-state: $61,160 (8.1x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,994
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,697
73% growth from Year 1
About CUNY City College
With a 58% acceptance rate, CUNY City College is moderately selective, with a mid-sized student body of 11,934 in New York, NY. With 60% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $13,944 over four years — 53% below sticker price.
See all programs and financial aid at CUNY City 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
Compare & Explore
Fine Arts at Other Schools
Other Majors at CUNY City College
Consider the Trade Route?
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
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Fine Arts at CUNY City College?
A score of 35/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Fine Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
What makes CUNY City College's Fine Arts program stand out?
Ranked #79 of 385 programs nationally, CUNY City College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Is CUNY City College a hidden gem for Fine Arts?
After financial aid, the average student pays $13,944 over four years — 53% below the $29,360 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →