Visual and Performing Arts at Stetson University

Stetson's arts program shows solid national performance but falls short within Florida's competitive landscape. While graduates earn slightly more than the national median ($26,913 versus $25,286 first year), they trail the state median by nearly $2,000, landing in just the 40th percentile among Florida arts programs. That's a meaningful gap in a state where flagship programs like UF and UCF consistently produce higher-earning graduates.

The debt burden here is actually lower than both state and national benchmarks—$27,000 compared to Florida's $24,250 median—and that 1.0 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable for an arts degree. The 45% earnings jump to $39,043 by year four suggests graduates find their footing after an initial adjustment period. However, with a sample size under 30 graduates, these numbers could shift significantly with just a few outliers.

For parents of aspiring artists, this represents a middle-of-the-road choice in Florida. Your child would likely graduate with reasonable debt, but their earning potential appears more limited compared to peers at state universities. If cost is a primary concern, compare Stetson's total attendance price carefully against UF or UCF—the state schools' stronger alumni networks and higher graduate earnings might offset any tuition differences.