Fine and Studio Arts at University of California-Los Angeles

UCLA's Fine and Studio Arts program starts graduates at $21,220—below both national and California medians for this field—but the story shifts dramatically by year four, when earnings more than double to nearly $43,000. That four-year number places graduates well above both state and national medians, suggesting the UCLA credential carries weight once graduates establish themselves professionally. The manageable $14,000 debt load (well below the national median of $25,295) means the slow start doesn't translate into a crushing financial burden.

However, that first year is genuinely tough. At one of the most selective public universities in the nation (9% admission rate), graduates initially earn less than the typical arts program graduate in California. The gap between UCLA and top-earning programs like USC ($50,161) or Cal Poly ($36,006) is substantial even after four years. For context, this ranks in the 40th percentile among California's 70 fine arts programs—middle of the pack in a famously challenging field.

The mathematics work because of low debt rather than strong early earnings. If your child is committed to fine arts and gets into UCLA, the relatively low borrowing combined with strong earnings growth makes this more viable than most arts programs nationally. Just be prepared to help support them financially in those early years while their career gains traction.