Fine Artsat University of California-Los Angeles
Graduates earn $21,220/yr in their first year — about 16.0% below the national Fine Arts average. Base-case 10-year earnings $529K; scenarios range from $492K to $533K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UCLA
You're looking at a program from a globally recognized institution, and that prestige can open many doors. However, Fine and Studio Arts outcomes are often highly individualized, especially in a competitive hub like Los Angeles. Your career path might include gallery work, arts administration, independent art practice, or contributing to the vast entertainment industry in roles like animation or art direction. Many graduates pursue entrepreneurial routes, where income builds uniquely over time and isn't always reflected in initial W-2 salary data. The strength here lies in UCLA's reputation and its connections within the L.A. art scene. To maximize your potential, actively leverage these networks through internships and collaborations, focusing on developing a unique niche or complementary skills that bridge your artistic talent with specific industry needs.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UCLA's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Fine Arts
How UCLA stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UCLA
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UCLA, 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 →Frequently asked about Fine Arts at UCLA
What does a 28/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Fine Arts at University of California-Los Angeles?
At 28/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Fine Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is University of California-Los Angeles a good choice for Fine Arts despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of California-Los Angeles's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.