Fine and Studio Arts at University of California-Davis

UC Davis's art program starts graduates at just $22,700—well below the national median—but delivers something rare in studio arts: genuine earnings momentum. By year four, graduates are earning $38,000, representing 68% growth and positioning them above 60% of California art programs. While the first year looks rocky, that trajectory matters more than most families realize in a field where immediate post-graduation earnings are notoriously unstable.

The debt picture offers real comfort here. At $15,000, it's barely half the national median for art degrees and among the lowest 5% of programs nationwide. Even with that anemic starting salary, graduates face a manageable 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio. Compare that to typical art programs where students borrow $25,000 or more, and UC Davis starts looking like the more conservative bet—especially since you're paying public school tuition for a well-regarded UC education.

The tradeoff is clear: your child will likely struggle financially right after graduation. That first year earning $22,700 in California won't be comfortable. But if they can weather that initial period (perhaps with parental support or side work), they're positioned for solid growth in a field where many programs leave graduates with both poverty wages and crushing debt. For studio arts—a notoriously difficult investment—this represents one of the safer pathways available.