Fine and Studio Arts at Columbia College Chicago

Columbia College Chicago's Fine Arts program starts graduates at just $22,765—well below both the state median ($26,204) and national average ($24,742) for this degree. That places it in the 40th percentile among Illinois programs, trailing schools like Illinois State (earning $35,967) and SIU-Carbondale by substantial margins. For a program in one of America's most expensive cities, that starting wage creates immediate financial pressure.

The silver lining is genuine earnings growth: graduates see a 59% jump to $36,210 by year four, ultimately outpacing the state median. This suggests the program may teach skills that translate better to professional work than entry-level gallery or retail positions. The $26,000 debt load is manageable in absolute terms—equal to the state median—but that 1.14 debt-to-earnings ratio means the first year or two post-graduation will be tight, especially given Chicago's cost of living.

The real question is whether your child can weather those early lean years. With 43% of students here receiving Pell grants, many graduates face that struggle. If they have family support to subsidize living expenses initially or a reliable side income, the trajectory improves. But if they need to cover rent and loans immediately on that $22,765, the math gets hard fast.