Fine and Studio Arts at Maryland Institute College of Art

Maryland Institute College of Art's Fine and Studio Arts program produces graduates earning just $21,138 in their first year—below both national and state medians for the field. While these earnings climb 30% to $27,389 by year four, that growth still leaves graduates trailing stronger Maryland options like University of Maryland-College Park ($32,031) and Towson University ($29,958). The $27,000 in median debt means graduates start out owing more than their entire first year's salary, a challenging burden when entry-level arts careers often require unpaid internships or freelance hustling to build a portfolio.

The program does rank at the 40th percentile among Maryland's 18 fine arts programs, placing it roughly in the middle of the pack statewide. However, the modest debt load (25th percentile nationally) offers one silver lining—students here aren't taking on the crushing six-figure loans that plague some specialized art schools. The 77% admission rate and low Pell enrollment (21%) suggest MICA serves a relatively affluent student body, which may help explain how graduates manage that first-year income gap.

For families without significant financial cushion, this presents real risks. An arts degree from MICA costs more financially than it returns initially, and even the four-year earnings don't justify the investment compared to peer institutions. If your child is committed to fine arts, exploring the stronger-performing public options in Maryland could deliver similar creative training with better economic outcomes.