Fine and Studio Arts at Olivet Nazarene University

That first-year salary of $16,290 should raise immediate concerns—it places this program in the bottom 10% both nationally and among Illinois fine arts programs. While the small sample size means we should be cautious about overinterpreting, these graduates are earning 38% less than the Illinois median for this field and substantially less than state flagships like Illinois State ($35,967) or even regional schools like Northeastern Illinois ($30,845). The $27,000 debt load means graduates are carrying 1.66 times their first-year earnings, making those early years financially precarious.

The 124% earnings jump by year four does bring graduates closer to viable territory at $36,401, suggesting many eventually find their footing professionally. However, this still reflects a difficult launch period where loan payments will consume a disproportionate share of income. Given that stronger Illinois programs show graduates earning competitive salaries from year one, the question is whether this particular pathway justifies the early financial strain.

If your child is committed to studio arts at Olivet Nazarene, have a frank conversation about the first few years: living at home, part-time work, or income-driven repayment might all be necessary. The small sample size leaves room for hope that individual outcomes vary widely, but the available data suggests this program struggles to launch graduates into financially stable careers compared to peer schools in Illinois.