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Fine and Studio Arts at State University of New York at New Paltz

New Paltz, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $18,842/yr (-26% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)

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

ROI 12.7x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #315 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs

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	$427K	$433K	$412K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.5x	12.7x	12.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.8x	5.9x	5.6x
Probability of Field Employment	41%	37%	31%
DegreeOutlook Score	24	24	22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$34,096

Out-of-state: $73,736 (5.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$73,924

-117% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,500

13.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$29,713

58% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $18,842 place State University of New York at New Paltz below the $25,391 national median for Fine and Studio Arts — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 12.7x 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 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,500 debt load exceeds a year of the $18,842 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #315 out of 385 programs, State University of New York at New Paltz's financial outcomes for Fine and Studio Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $18,842 to $29,713 over five years (58% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About State University of New York at New Paltz

A 59% admission rate makes State University of New York at New Paltz accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a mid-sized student body of 6,022 in New Paltz, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at State University of New York at New Paltz →

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 State University of New York at New Paltz

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

How does State University of New York at New Paltz's Fine and Studio Arts program score?

This program scores 24/100 — on the lower end for Fine and Studio Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Do State University of New York at New Paltz Fine and Studio Arts graduates earn enough to justify the loans?

The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.

Why are Fine and Studio Arts earnings lower at State University of New York at New Paltz?

Lower starting pay at State University of New York at New Paltz may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

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