Fine Arts at Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, AZ · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Fine and Studio Arts

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $24,172/yr (-5% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)

ROI 8.1x earnings multiple (3.6x 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	$404K	$412K	$395K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	8.0x	8.1x	7.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.5x	3.6x	3.4x
Probability of Field Employment	41%	37%	31%
DegreeOutlook Score	29	28	25

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$50,608

Out-of-state: $115,600 (3.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$59,688

-18% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,625

9.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (4 Year)

$22,401

Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

With 91% of applicants admitted, Northern Arizona University prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 23,041 in Flagstaff, AZ.

Art directors $111,040/yr

Special effects artists and animators $99,800/yr

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190/yr

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.

How does Northern Arizona University's Fine Arts program score?

This program scores 28/100 — on the lower end for Fine Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →