Fine and Studio Arts at Lycoming College

Lycoming College's studio arts program shows something relatively uncommon: strong earnings momentum that lifts graduates well above typical outcomes. While first-year earnings of $25,858 barely clear the poverty line, by year four graduates reach $44,387—a 72% jump that outpaces most arts programs. Among Pennsylvania's 61 schools offering this degree, Lycoming ranks in the 60th percentile, landing between Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Moravian. The $27,000 debt load sits exactly at the state median and below the national average, keeping the initial debt-to-earnings ratio manageable at 1.04.

The caveat here matters: with fewer than 30 graduates in this dataset, a few successful careers could be skewing these numbers upward. Studio arts programs typically show volatile outcomes because success often depends on individual talent, networking, and sometimes luck rather than the credential itself. Still, the trajectory suggests Lycoming may be connecting its arts graduates to careers with genuine growth potential—whether in design, arts education, or commercial creative fields—rather than leaving them in perpetual entry-level positions.

For parents of genuinely committed artists, this represents a middle-ground option: respectable debt levels and evidence that many graduates find their footing financially within a few years. Just recognize that the small sample size means your child's outcome could vary significantly from these medians.