Fine and Studio Arts at University of Virginia-Main Campus

UVA's fine arts program carries the prestige of a highly selective institution (17% acceptance rate, 1488 average SAT) but delivers earnings that land squarely in the middle of the pack—39th percentile nationally and 40th within Virginia. That first-year salary of $23,372 trails not just Virginia Tech's arts graduates ($36,927) but also the state median by about $2,400. The $19,500 in debt is lower than typical for this degree, giving graduates some breathing room, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.83 still means nearly a year's salary goes to paying off loans.

The striking 91% earnings jump by year four suggests this program may prepare students for careers that take time to build—freelance work, gallery representation, or creative industry positions that require establishing a professional network. By year four, graduates reach $44,659, which is competitive for this field. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes these numbers less reliable than data from larger programs.

For families paying premium tuition at a selective institution, this represents a sobering reality: the UVA brand doesn't translate to higher starting salaries in fine arts. If your child is committed to this path, the relatively modest debt and strong earnings growth offer some reassurance. But if they're choosing between UVA and a more affordable in-state option like Mary Washington, the early-career earnings gap isn't large enough to justify significant additional investment.