Home Schools Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi Fine Arts
Visual & Performing Arts · Fine Arts Rank #241 of 385

Fine Artsat Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi

Graduates earn $17,507/yr in their first year — about 31.0% below the national Fine Arts average. Base-case 10-year earnings $525K; scenarios range from $488K to $528K depending on AI disruption.

Corpus Christi, TX Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
28 AT RISK
29
Optimistic
27
Pessimistic
Earnings
$17,507
1-year post-graduation
ROI
9.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$525K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
40% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi

The earnings profile for Fine and Studio Arts graduates from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi reflects a particular dynamic common in regional markets. While the program cultivates essential artistic skills, the local Corpus Christi economy might offer different opportunities compared to major art centers. You'll likely find strong demand for independent artists serving the regional community, local galleries, or commercial art for tourism and small businesses. Securing roles like art director or special effects artist, often found in larger creative industries, typically requires proactive networking and potentially relocating to major metropolitan hubs. To maximize your earning potential, focus on building an entrepreneurial mindset and a robust portfolio that showcases versatility, actively seeking internships, and exploring opportunities beyond the immediate South Texas region early in your career.

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
$488K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score27/100
Earnings Multiple12.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$525K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score28/100
Earnings Multiple13.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$528K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score29/100
Earnings Multiple13.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi'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 Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi 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 Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi

Other top programs at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi, 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 Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Fine Arts at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi?

A score of 28/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Fine Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Is Fine Arts at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi worth the student debt?

Median debt of $27,125 against $17,507/yr starting salary means roughly 1.5 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.

Can you still earn well with Fine Arts from Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.