Fine and Studio Arts at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
28 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
29
Optimistic
28
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $21,766/yr (-14% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 12.1x earnings multiple (6.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #240 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 $490K $491K $460K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.1x 12.1x 11.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.7x 6.7x 6.3x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 29 28 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,576
Out-of-state: $72,832 (6.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,268
-26% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,145
13.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,776
87% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga's Fine and Studio Arts program produces graduates earning $21,766/yr — within striking distance of the $25,391 national average for this field.

The 12.1x 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 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,145 debt load exceeds a year of the $21,766 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #240 out of 385 programs, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga's financial outcomes for Fine and Studio Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $21,766 to $40,776 over five years (87% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

A 77% acceptance rate means The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 9,878 students in Chattanooga, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga →

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 The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

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 The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga's Fine and Studio Arts program score?
This program scores 28/100 — on the lower end for Fine and Studio Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →