Fine and Studio Arts at Concordia College at Moorhead

Concordia College's Fine Arts program demonstrates something rare in this field: graduates earn substantially more than their debt load. With $27,000 in median debt against first-year earnings of nearly $30,000, this program achieves a debt-to-earnings ratio that puts it in the top quarter of fine arts programs nationally—a genuine accomplishment for a major where crushing debt ratios are common.

The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story. Starting at $30,000, graduates see their income jump 41% by year four to $42,000. While this still lags behind Minnesota State-Mankato's fine arts grads, it outpaces most Minnesota programs and lands in the 79th percentile nationally. For context, the typical fine arts graduate nationally earns just $24,742 in year one, making Concordia's outcomes notably stronger than the field overall.

The crucial caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers could shift with a different cohort. But the fundamental dynamic—manageable debt paired with income growth that continues after graduation—suggests a program that prepares students for sustainable careers rather than just initial employment. For families willing to accept the inherent income ceiling that comes with fine arts degrees, Concordia offers a relatively practical path into the field.