Fine and Studio Arts at San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,606/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 15.4x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #157 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Fine and Studio Arts graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $455K $458K $433K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.3x 15.4x 14.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.9x 5.9x 5.6x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 31 28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,696
Out-of-state: $77,216 (5.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,528
-74% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,610
8.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,596
49% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $24,606/yr, Fine and Studio Arts graduates from San Francisco State University land near the $25,391 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.4x 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 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $17,610 represents roughly 9 months of the $24,606 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #157 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs, San Francisco State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $24,606 to $36,596 over five years — a 49% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About San Francisco State University

With 96% of applicants admitted, San Francisco State University prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 20,033 students in San Francisco, CA. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at San Francisco State University →

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
View all 12 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Fine and Studio Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at San Francisco State University

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 and Studio Arts at San Francisco State University?
A score of 31/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Fine and Studio Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →