Program Analysis
Fort Hays State University Fine and Studio Arts graduates command $31,909/yr out of the gate, well above the $25,391 national median. That 26% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 22.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Fine and Studio Arts programs nationally.
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 7% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $22,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $31,909 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #3 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs nationally, Fort Hays State University sits in the top 1% — one of the strongest programs in the country by financial outcomes.
Five-year earnings of $49,710 show a 56% jump from the $31,909 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.