Home Schools University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Fine Arts
Visual & Performing Arts · Fine Arts Rank #12 of 385

Fine Artsat University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Graduates earn $38,585/yr in their first year — about 52.0% above the national Fine Arts average. Base-case 10-year earnings $463K; scenarios range from $437K to $460K depending on AI disruption.

Oshkosh, WI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
43 AVERAGE
44
Optimistic
37
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,585
1-year post-graduation
ROI
11.5x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$463K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
40% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

The impressive earnings trajectory for UW-Oshkosh Fine and Studio Arts graduates often stems from the program's strong emphasis on applicable design and digital skills, extending beyond traditional studio practices. Many students successfully bridge their creative talents into commercial roles within the wider Fox Valley and Milwaukee area, finding opportunities in marketing agencies, print and digital media, and even industrial design firms that value strong visual communication. This regional labor market, less saturated than major art hubs, provides a robust pipeline for graduates seeking roles as art directors, graphic designers, or animators, where their creative problem-solving is highly valued. Your ability to translate artistic vision into practical, client-ready solutions will be key here. Focus on building a diverse portfolio that showcases both your artistic voice and your capacity for applied design work.

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
$437K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score37/100
Earnings Multiple13.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$463K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score43/100
Earnings Multiple14.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$460K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score44/100
Earnings Multiple14.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh'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 Wisconsin-Oshkosh 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 Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Other top programs at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 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 Wisconsin-Oshkosh

How does University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's Fine Arts program score?

This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Fine Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Why does University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh rank so high for Fine Arts?

The #12 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.