Fine and Studio Arts at Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern's Fine and Studio Arts program produces concerning earnings outcomes even by the modest standards of this field. Starting at just $21,214, graduates earn less than 77% of their peers nationally and barely edge above the Georgia median. While the program does keep debt relatively low—below the median for both state and nation—the $29,500 typical burden still takes more than a full year of earnings to repay.

The 39% earnings growth to $29,486 by year four offers some relief, but context matters: Georgia's top arts programs produce graduates earning $35,000+ right out of the gate. Even mid-tier state options like University of West Georgia deliver stronger starting points. For a widely accessible program (90% admission rate serving a substantial number of Pell Grant students), these outcomes suggest graduates may struggle during those crucial early career years when student loan payments begin.

The math is straightforward: an art graduate from this program will likely need supplemental income sources or family support early on. If your child is committed to studio arts, they should understand they're starting behind peers at stronger Georgia programs. The relatively moderate debt load is the one advantage here—it keeps this investment from becoming catastrophic, though it's still far from ideal.