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Visual & Performing Arts · Fine Arts Rank #328 of 385

Fine Artsat Morehead State University

Graduates earn $17,301/yr in their first year — about 32.0% below the national Fine Arts average. Base-case 10-year earnings $437K; scenarios range from $416K to $431K depending on AI disruption.

Morehead, KY Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
23 AT RISK
23
Optimistic
21
Pessimistic
Earnings
$17,301
1-year post-graduation
ROI
6.6x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$437K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
40% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Morehead State University

Pursuing a fine and studio arts degree from Morehead State offers a path to creative expression, but it's important to understand the regional economic context. Situated in rural Kentucky, the local job market for fine artists differs significantly from major metropolitan areas where high-paying commercial art, design, or entertainment industry roles are concentrated. The program likely prepares you for roles within local education, community arts organizations, or independent studio work, which typically don't command the salaries seen in competitive urban markets for positions like art director or animator. Your success will depend on actively building a robust portfolio and networking broadly. Consider internships or projects that expose you to diverse art markets and build a versatile skill set, preparing you to create opportunities beyond the immediate geographic area.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$416K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score21/100
Earnings Multiple10.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$437K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score23/100
Earnings Multiple11.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$431K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score23/100
Earnings Multiple11.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Morehead State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Fine Arts graduates typically work

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.

1
Art directors
+4.2% 10-yr growth · 12,300 openings/yr
$111,040/yr
High
2
Special effects artists and animators
+1.6% 10-yr growth · 5,000 openings/yr
$99,800/yr
High
3
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 9,000 openings/yr
$80,190/yr
Moderate
4
Artists and related workers, all other
+0.8% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$72,760/yr
Low
5
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
6
Curators
+7.0% 10-yr growth · 1,800 openings/yr
$61,770/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Fine Arts

How Morehead State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Columbia University in the City of New York
NY · Private nonprofit
37
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
1.0x
ROI
University of Southern California
CA · Private nonprofit
38
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
1.2x
ROI
Ramapo College of New Jersey
NJ · Public
45
DW Score
$45K
1-yr earn
6.7x
ROI
University of Nebraska at Kearney
NE · Public
46
DW Score
$41K
1-yr earn
12.2x
ROI
Barnard College
NY · Private nonprofit
36
DW Score
$40K
1-yr earn
0.5x
ROI
Also at Morehead State University

Other top programs at Morehead State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Morehead State University, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Fine Arts at Morehead State University

What does a 23/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Fine Arts at Morehead State University?

At 23/100, 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 Morehead State University?

At $25,000 in median debt, graduates carry 17 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.

Is Morehead State University a good choice for Fine Arts despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Morehead State University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.