Fine and Studio Arts at Ball State University

Ball State's studio arts program is one of those rare cases where graduates actually see meaningful income growth after the initial post-graduation struggle. Starting at $28,405, earnings jump 32% to $37,579 by year four—a trajectory that outpaces 71% of similar programs nationally. That's notable in a field where many graduates plateau early or see minimal gains.

The $25,637 debt load sits right at the national norm for arts programs, but here's what matters: within Indiana, this program ranks at the 60th percentile for earnings while debt runs slightly higher than the state median of $22,750. You're essentially paying a bit more than at peer programs like University of Southern Indiana or IU-Bloomington, but the earnings growth pattern suggests that premium may pay off over time. The sub-1.0 debt-to-earnings ratio means your child could theoretically pay this back within their first year's salary, though the low initial earnings make that unlikely in practice.

The real question is whether your child can weather those first couple of years. At $28,405, they'll be earning about 70% of what the typical college graduate makes right out of school. If they're prepared for side gigs, freelance work, or lean living while building a portfolio and client base, the upward trajectory here is actually encouraging for an arts degree.