Fine and Studio Arts at University of Massachusetts-Boston

UMass Boston's Fine and Studio Arts program posts earnings that place it in the 95th percentile both nationally and within Massachusetts—a remarkable position for any arts program. With graduates earning $36,980 in their first year versus a state median of just $23,214, these students are clearing nearly $14,000 more annually than typical Massachusetts art school graduates. The $27,000 median debt is reasonable for the field, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73 that most fine arts programs would envy.

The downside is clear: earnings slip to $35,166 by year four, a 5% decline that suggests graduates may start in commercial or design roles that don't sustain long-term. This pattern isn't unique to UMass Boston—arts careers often involve career pivots or periods of lower income while building a practice or portfolio. Still, even with this dip, graduates remain well ahead of their peers statewide.

The major caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates reported data, so one particularly successful or struggling cohort could skew these numbers significantly. But if you're considering an arts degree in Massachusetts and need to manage debt carefully, UMass Boston appears to position graduates better than nearly every other option in the state, including more selective schools like Williams College. The accessible admission rate (83%) and strong Pell Grant enrollment (43%) suggest this success isn't limited to already-privileged students.