Fine and Studio Arts at Frostburg State University

Frostburg State's Fine Arts program lands squarely in the middle—60th percentile among Maryland schools, near-national median earnings—but the complete lack of earnings growth raises questions. At $24,649 right after graduation and essentially the same four years later, graduates aren't seeing the salary progression that typically comes with experience and skill development in their field.

The debt situation is manageable at under $25,000, creating a near 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio that beats many arts programs. Among Maryland options, Frostburg performs respectably—ahead of both Maryland Institute College of Art and Salisbury despite those schools' stronger artistic reputations. However, Maryland graduates and Towson graduates earn 30% and 20% more respectively, suggesting that program selection matters significantly even within the state.

The critical caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, making it statistically unreliable. A few students pursuing MFAs or taking gap years could skew the entire picture. For parents, the practical question is whether $24,650 annual earnings—roughly $12 per hour—provides enough financial foundation for your child to build on. If they're planning graduate school or view this as preparation for a creative career that takes time to monetize, the low debt load preserves future options. But if they expect this degree alone to support them financially, understand that half of similar programs nationwide produce better immediate outcomes.