Fine and Studio Arts at Utah Tech University

Utah Tech's Fine and Studio Arts program starts slowly but shows impressive momentum, with earnings jumping 42% to reach $33,327 by year four. However, it's that first year that creates the challenge: new graduates earn just $23,524—well below Utah's state median of $33,316 for arts programs. Among Utah's eight fine arts programs, this ranks in just the 25th percentile, trailing schools like BYU and Utah State by roughly $10,000.

The $25,000 in typical debt sits right at the national median for arts programs but exceeds Utah's state average. Combined with those low initial earnings, graduates face a year of tight budgets before things improve. The strong earnings growth is encouraging—by year four, graduates nearly match the state median—but that financial squeeze in the early years matters for loan payments and basic living expenses.

For students committed to fine arts, this program eventually delivers competitive outcomes, but they should plan for a lean first year out of school. Families should weigh whether the initial earnings gap justifies staying in-state versus attending a program where graduates start stronger. The moderate sample size suggests these patterns are reasonably reliable, though individual outcomes will vary based on the specific arts discipline and career path pursued.