Fine and Studio Arts at University of Alaska Anchorage

University of Alaska Anchorage's fine arts program defies the usual struggles facing studio arts graduates. With first-year earnings of $30,311, graduates here earn about 22% more than the national median for fine arts programs—landing at the 81st percentile nationally. While that might sound impressive, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing considerably year to year. The debt load of $24,872 sits right near the national average, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.82 that's manageable compared to what many arts programs deliver.

The Alaska context matters here. With only three schools offering this degree in the state, UAA sits at the 60th percentile for earnings among them—solidly middle-of-the-pack locally, even as it outperforms most programs nationally. This suggests Alaska's small arts market may create somewhat better opportunities than the Lower 48, though those opportunities are clearly limited in number.

For an anxious parent, here's the reality: fine arts remains a financially challenging path anywhere, but UAA's outcomes beat most alternatives if your child is committed to this field. The relatively low debt paired with above-average earnings makes this one of the safer bets in studio arts education. Just remember that small sample caveat—these numbers reflect a handful of graduates in a specialized market, and your child's experience could differ significantly.