Fine and Studio Arts at The University of Texas at El Paso

A $19,506 starting salary against $19,778 in debt tells most of the story here—graduates from UTEP's studio arts program face monthly loan payments that will consume a significant chunk of their take-home pay. While the 49% earnings growth to year four is encouraging, reaching $28,989 still leaves graduates well behind the state median of $26,482 for *first-year* earnings at other Texas programs. Among the 50 Texas schools offering this degree, UTEP ranks in just the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of comparable programs produce better outcomes.

The debt picture compounds the challenge. At $19,778, graduates carry less than the national median but still face a concerning debt-to-earnings ratio above 1:1. Compare this to UT Austin, where studio arts graduates earn $32,088—enough to manage their debt more comfortably—or even Texas Tech at $34,428. These aren't elite private schools; they're fellow public institutions in the UT and state systems.

For a family considering UTEP specifically for its accessibility (100% admission rate, 61% Pell Grant recipients), understand that affordability at enrollment doesn't guarantee affordability after graduation. Unless your child has already secured gallery representation or plans to supplement their art practice with another income stream, this program creates a financially precarious starting point. If studio arts is the goal, investigate why graduates at comparable Texas public universities earn 30-60% more within their first year.