Fine and Studio Arts at University of Southern Maine

Portland, ME · Public · Bachelor's Degree
28 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
29
Optimistic
28
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $21,058/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 11.6x earnings multiple (4.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #226 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs

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 $508K $507K $473K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.6x 11.6x 10.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.7x 4.7x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 29 28 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,680
Out-of-state: $108,416 (4.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$46,916
-7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,953
10.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,777
103% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Southern Maine's Fine and Studio Arts graduates start at $21,058/yr, trailing the $25,391 national average by 17%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.6x 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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $18,953 represents roughly 11 months of the $21,058 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #226 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs, University of Southern Maine falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $42,777 show a 103% jump from the $21,058 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Southern Maine

A 79% acceptance rate means University of Southern Maine is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 4,245 students in Portland, ME.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern Maine →

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 Southern Maine

Consider the Trade Route?

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Fine and Studio Arts at University of Southern Maine?
A score of 28/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Fine and Studio Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Can you still earn well with Fine and Studio Arts from University of Southern Maine?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →