Fine and Studio Arts at University of California-Irvine

UC Irvine's Fine and Studio Arts program starts rough but finishes respectably, with earnings nearly tripling from $16,989 in year one to $36,977 by year four. That strong recovery puts graduates above both the California median ($22,129) and national median ($24,742) for fine arts programs—though it requires patience through those challenging early years. The relatively modest debt load of $17,635 makes this trajectory more tolerable than at many art schools.

The bigger concern is the first-year struggle. Even among California's 70 fine arts programs, UCI ranks only in the 25th percentile for initial earnings, and sits in the bottom 5% nationally. For context, USC's fine arts graduates earn $50,161 immediately, while even Cal Poly SLO starts at $36,006. That means your child will likely need substantial financial support during those first few years post-graduation—factor that into your planning alongside the official debt figure.

This program works best for students who have family backing during the launch phase and understand they're investing in a four-year runway, not immediate returns. The strong earnings growth suggests UCI graduates do eventually find their footing in creative careers, but the path requires financial cushioning that not all families can provide.