Fine and Studio Arts at Cornish College of the Arts

Cornish College of the Arts graduates earn less than 90% of other Fine Arts students in Washington state, with first-year earnings barely reaching $16,621—less than two-thirds of what graduates from Seattle Pacific or even Central Washington earn. While the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift year to year, the pattern is concerning: even after strong growth to $26,730 by year four, Cornish graduates still trail the state median and rank in just the 5th percentile nationally.

The debt load of $27,000 exceeds what most Washington art programs charge, meaning students are borrowing more to earn less. With 70% of applicants admitted and only 30% receiving Pell grants, this isn't a question of selectivity or student demographics—it's about post-graduation outcomes. Compare this to University of Washington, where graduates with the same degree earn $25,947 immediately after graduation with lower debt.

For a family considering a $27,000 investment in art school, these numbers suggest looking elsewhere in Washington. The small sample means individual circumstances vary widely, but when every comparable state program shows better earnings, that's a red flag worth heeding. If your child is set on Cornish's specific artistic approach, plan for significant financial support beyond graduation.