Fine and Studio Arts at University of Nevada-Reno

A studio arts degree from UNR starts slow but builds momentum—graduates earn $24,906 initially, then see earnings jump 34% to $33,394 by year four. That growth trajectory matters more than the modest starting salary, and it compares reasonably well to the national median of $24,742 for studio arts programs. The $23,500 in typical debt is also slightly below the national average, creating a nearly 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable, if tight, in the early years.

The wrinkle is Nevada-specific: UNR trails UNLV (where grads earn $27,740) and sits below the state median of $26,323, landing in the 40th percentile among Nevada's admittedly limited options. For students committed to staying in-state after graduation, this gap deserves consideration, though the difference narrows as UNR graduates gain experience and their earnings climb.

For families accepting that studio arts is rarely a high-earning path, UNR offers a workable financial proposition. The debt burden won't be crushing, and the earnings growth pattern suggests graduates develop marketable skills over time. Just understand you're looking at several lean years post-graduation, and if staying in Nevada matters, UNLV's program shows stronger initial outcomes.