Fine and Studio Arts at DePaul University

DePaul's Fine and Studio Arts program outperforms 60% of Illinois art programs and 65% nationally—a noteworthy achievement given that art degrees notoriously struggle with employment outcomes. Graduates start at $27,291, which sits comfortably above both the national median ($24,742) and Illinois average ($26,204). More importantly, earnings climb 28% by year four to $35,009, which approaches what Illinois State and Southern Illinois achieve with their programs. The debt load of $26,999 lands below both state and national medians, creating a nearly 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable compared to the field's typical struggles.

The catch? Those starting earnings still translate to roughly $13 per hour, and even after four years of growth, graduates earn less than $17 per hour. While DePaul's program performs relatively well within its category, the entire field faces challenging economics. That said, if your child is committed to pursuing studio art—and you've had honest conversations about the financial reality—this program demonstrates better-than-average preparation for the market.

The takeaway: DePaul won't change the fundamental economics of an art degree, but it does position graduates in the upper tier of outcomes for this field. The moderate debt and steady earnings growth suggest students develop marketable skills. Just ensure your family enters this with open eyes about typical art career trajectories.