Fine Arts at University of Nebraska at Kearney

Kearney, NE · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Fine and Studio Arts
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%

Program Analysis

The strong financial outcomes for UNK's Fine and Studio Arts program highlight a crucial distinction: this isn't solely about gallery art. Your success likely stems from a curriculum that effectively balances traditional artistic development with marketable skills, preparing you for applied creative roles. The program likely has strong regional connections, feeding graduates into local and regional advertising agencies, marketing departments, design firms, or educational institutions across Nebraska and neighboring states. These employers consistently need visual communicators, digital artists, and art educators. The listed career paths, like art director or special effects artist, underscore this focus on commercial and digital applications where a creative eye meets practical industry needs. To maximize your potential, actively seek out internships and build a diverse portfolio showcasing both your artistic vision and your proficiency in relevant digital tools and design principles.

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 $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

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 Arts at Other Schools

Compare Fine Arts

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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 Arts at University of Nebraska at Kearney?
A score of 46/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Fine Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
What makes University of Nebraska at Kearney's Fine 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 →