Fine and Studio Arts at Auburn University at Montgomery

With only a handful of graduates tracked, Auburn Montgomery's Fine Arts program shows troubling initial outcomes—starting earnings of just $18,223 rank in the bottom 5% nationally and significantly trail Alabama's $25,150 median for similar programs. While earnings nearly double by year four to $28,032, that growth only brings graduates to roughly where their peers start. For context, nearby University of Alabama at Birmingham's Fine Arts graduates earn $30,809 right out of the gate.

The $30,000 debt load compounds these challenges. At 1.65 times first-year earnings, this debt-to-income ratio makes standard 10-year loan repayment difficult on an artist's typical income. Even among Fine Arts programs—where financial outcomes are generally modest—this combination of below-average earnings and above-average debt stands out unfavorably.

The tiny sample size means one successful graduate or one struggling artist can dramatically skew these numbers. If your child is considering this path, they need concrete backup plans: either a clear route to graduate school that improves earnings prospects, demonstrated entrepreneurial skills to supplement gallery work, or willingness to relocate to stronger art markets. Without one of these, the financial math simply doesn't work with this level of debt.