Fine and Studio Arts at County College of Morris

County College of Morris graduates with studio arts associates degrees earn $33,881 their first year out—nearly double the national median of $18,784 and well above New Jersey's state median of $28,250. While the 60th state percentile ranking might seem modest, it's worth noting that this program substantially outperforms the highest-earning comparable program in the state (Hudson County Community College at $22,619). Combined with relatively manageable debt of $9,250, graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.27, meaning they owe roughly three months' salary.

The catch? This data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes likely vary more than these numbers suggest. Still, the pattern is striking—even with typical arts degree concerns about earning potential, these graduates start with incomes that could support basic living expenses in northern New Jersey. Whether that reflects the program's proximity to New York arts markets, strong local connections, or simply luck in a small sample is impossible to say definitively.

For parents worried about funding an arts degree, this represents about as favorable a scenario as you'll find: minimal debt, earnings that beat most community college arts programs by a significant margin, and a clear financial runway after graduation. The small sample size means you shouldn't bank on these exact numbers, but the gap between this program and others is wide enough to be meaningful.