Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $19,276/yr fall 24% below the $25,391 national median for Fine and Studio Arts. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The 15.5x 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 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $23,113 debt load exceeds a year of the $19,276 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.
At #253 out of 385 programs, Emporia State University's financial outcomes for Fine and Studio Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth from $19,276 to $34,132 over five years (77% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.