Fine and Studio Arts at American University

American University's fine arts graduates earn $35,115 in their first year—42% above the national median for studio arts programs and landing in the 95th percentile nationwide. That's a meaningful premium for a field where most graduates struggle to crack $25,000. The $23,250 in median debt translates to a 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio, manageable territory that suggests graduates can handle their loan payments without excessive strain. However, among DC's seven fine arts programs, this performance sits at the 60th percentile, indicating it's middle-of-the-pack locally despite excelling nationally.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) warrants caution—these numbers could shift significantly year to year. What matters more is understanding the tradeoff: American charges private university tuition for outcomes that, while strong nationally, aren't exceptional within DC's concentrated arts market. The earnings advantage over typical studio arts programs is real, but whether it justifies American's full cost of attendance depends heavily on your family's financial situation and any merit aid offered.

If your child can attend with minimal borrowing or substantial scholarships, this represents solid footing in a notoriously difficult field. At sticker price with loans approaching or exceeding this median, you're banking on your student outperforming these already-selective averages.