Fine and Studio Arts at Seattle Pacific University

Seattle Pacific University's Fine Arts program produces first-year earnings of $35,938—a figure that significantly outpaces both the national median of $24,742 and the Washington state median of $25,947. At an estimated debt load of $26,345 based on comparable programs at the institution, graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73, meaning they'd owe roughly nine months of their first-year salary. This ratio suggests manageable repayment prospects, particularly given the program's strong earnings position relative to peer schools.

What makes this outcome noteworthy is how it stacks up against other Washington programs with reported data. SPU's graduates earn considerably more than those from University of Puget Sound ($28,469) and substantially more than University of Washington's fine arts graduates ($25,947). For a program that typically struggles with post-graduation earnings—the national median sits at just $24,742—these results represent an outlier worth investigating. The school's 91% admission rate and modest SAT average suggest this isn't purely selectivity driving outcomes.

The caveat: the debt figure is estimated from similar programs at SPU, not actual graduate data. If actual debt runs higher, the calculation shifts unfavorably. But given what similar fine arts programs typically produce in earnings, a graduate earning nearly $36,000 in year one has meaningful breathing room. For parents considering this program, the earnings potential appears genuinely stronger than typical fine arts outcomes would suggest—though confirming career services support and alumni networks would help explain whether these results are sustainable.