Fine and Studio Arts at Central Michigan University

Central Michigan's fine arts program ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally for graduate earnings—but before concluding it's a poor choice, consider the tiny sample size (under 30 graduates). With numbers this small, a few graduates pursuing MFAs or gap years could dramatically skew the data downward. That said, the $18,117 first-year earnings figure is troubling if accurate, sitting well below both Michigan's state median ($23,786) and the national average ($24,742) for fine arts programs.

The 66% earnings jump to $30,139 by year four suggests graduates do find their footing, ultimately surpassing state and national benchmarks. The $31,000 debt load is higher than typical for Michigan fine arts programs ($27,250 median), but not dramatically so. What's most concerning is the timing: that 1.71 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates face nearly two years of their initial salary in loans, which creates real financial pressure during precisely the years when artists are trying to establish themselves.

If your child is seriously committed to fine arts and Central Michigan offers other advantages—location, specific faculty, or scholarship aid—this program could work. But given these numbers rank near the bottom statewide, they should at minimum apply to higher-performing Michigan programs like U of M or Eastern Michigan as alternatives. And with such a small sample, trust the pattern more than any single data point.