Fine and Studio Arts at University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
34 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
35
Optimistic
34
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,008/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 11.4x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #94 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs Top 25%

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 $502K $501K $469K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.4x 11.4x 10.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.8x 3.8x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 34 30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,856
Out-of-state: $131,708 (3.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$85,592
-95% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,596
10.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,645
63% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $28,008/yr, edging above the $25,391 national average for Fine and Studio Arts — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 11.4x 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 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,596 debt-to-$28,008 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #94 out of 385 programs, University of Iowa's Fine and Studio Arts program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $28,008 to $45,645 over five years (63% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Iowa

University of Iowa has a 85% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving a student body of 21,691 in Iowa City, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Iowa →

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 University of Iowa

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Iowa's Fine and Studio Arts program score?
This program scores 34/100 — on the lower end for Fine and Studio Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why does University of Iowa rank so high for Fine and Studio Arts?
The #94 ranking out of 385 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →