Fine Arts at University at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Fine and Studio Arts

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $24,370/yr (-4% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)

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

ROI 11.7x earnings multiple (4.1x 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	$504K	$503K	$470K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.7x	11.7x	10.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.1x	4.1x	3.8x
Probability of Field Employment	41%	37%	31%
DegreeOutlook Score	31	31	28

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$43,128

Out-of-state: $122,288 (4.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$81,880

-90% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$16,056

7.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$44,195

81% growth from Year 1

University at Buffalo accepts 69% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, serving a student body of 20,284 in Buffalo, NY.

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.

What does a 31/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Fine Arts at University at Buffalo?

At 31/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Fine Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

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