Fine and Studio Arts at University of Nebraska at Kearney

Kearney, NE · Public · Bachelor's Degree
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,501/yr (60% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 14.3x earnings multiple (8.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #6 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs Top 5%

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 $472K $474K $446K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.2x 14.3x 13.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.3x 8.3x 7.8x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 46 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,208
Out-of-state: $57,040 (8.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,952
-99% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,920
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,720
8% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of University of Nebraska at Kearney's Fine and Studio Arts program earn $40,501/yr in their first year — 60% above the $25,391 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Fine and Studio Arts programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Fine and Studio Arts's typical career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.

At $13,920 in median debt against $40,501 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #6 of 385 nationally, this is a top-5% Fine and Studio Arts program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $43,720 are relatively flat compared to the $40,501 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About University of Nebraska at Kearney

University of Nebraska at Kearney has a 86% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 4,130 students in Kearney, NE.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Nebraska at Kearney →

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

Compare Fine and Studio Arts

Other Majors at University of Nebraska at Kearney

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Fine and Studio Arts at University of Nebraska at Kearney?
A score of 46/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Fine and Studio Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
What makes University of Nebraska at Kearney's Fine and Studio Arts program stand out?
Ranked #6 of 385 programs nationally, University of Nebraska at Kearney lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →