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Visual & Performing Arts · Fine Arts Rank #16 of 385

Fine Artsat University of Utah

Graduates earn $33,081/yr in their first year — about 30.0% above the national Fine Arts average. Base-case 10-year earnings $505K; scenarios range from $471K to $506K depending on AI disruption.

Salt Lake City, UT Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
42 AVERAGE
43
Optimistic
37
Pessimistic
Earnings
$33,081
1-year post-graduation
ROI
11.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$505K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
40% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Utah

The strong earnings potential from Utah's Fine Arts program isn't just luck; it reflects a strategic alignment with the thriving creative industries in Salt Lake City and the broader Intermountain West. Unlike many traditional fine arts programs, yours here likely benefits from strong ties to the region's burgeoning tech, gaming, and animation studios. These companies constantly seek visual artists, animators, and designers for roles that demand both artistic vision and technical proficiency. Think beyond gallery exhibitions to character design, environmental art, UI/UX for games, or motion graphics in advertising. The university's strong regional presence helps forge these pipelines. To truly maximize your outcome, actively seek out internships with local studios and tailor your portfolio to demonstrate not just your artistic talent, but also your adaptability to digital tools and collaborative project environments. This blend of artistry and practical application is what drives these outcomes.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$471K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score37/100
Earnings Multiple12.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$505K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score42/100
Earnings Multiple13.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$506K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score43/100
Earnings Multiple13.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Utah's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Fine Arts graduates typically work

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.

1
Art directors
+4.2% 10-yr growth · 12,300 openings/yr
$111,040/yr
High
2
Special effects artists and animators
+1.6% 10-yr growth · 5,000 openings/yr
$99,800/yr
High
3
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 9,000 openings/yr
$80,190/yr
Moderate
4
Artists and related workers, all other
+0.8% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$72,760/yr
Low
5
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
6
Curators
+7.0% 10-yr growth · 1,800 openings/yr
$61,770/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Fine Arts

How University of Utah stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Columbia University in the City of New York
NY · Private nonprofit
37
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
1.0x
ROI
University of Southern California
CA · Private nonprofit
38
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
1.2x
ROI
Ramapo College of New Jersey
NJ · Public
45
DW Score
$45K
1-yr earn
6.7x
ROI
University of Nebraska at Kearney
NE · Public
46
DW Score
$41K
1-yr earn
12.2x
ROI
Barnard College
NY · Private nonprofit
36
DW Score
$40K
1-yr earn
0.5x
ROI
Also at University of Utah

Other top programs at University of Utah

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Utah, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Fine Arts at University of Utah

How does University of Utah's Fine Arts program score?

This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Fine Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Why does University of Utah rank so high for Fine Arts?

The #16 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.