Fine and Studio Arts at Vassar College

That 106% earnings jump tells an important story about Vassar's fine arts graduates: they start exceptionally low at $19,790—well below both New York and national medians—but by year four reach $40,808, surpassing most comparable programs. This trajectory suggests graduates may be taking unpaid internships or entry-level gallery positions before gaining traction. However, with fewer than 30 graduates in this dataset, these numbers might not reflect typical outcomes.

The modest debt load of $18,985 is the program's clearest advantage, sitting below both state and national medians. For a selective institution (18% admission rate, 1513 average SAT), Vassar keeps borrowing reasonable. Still, that first-year earnings figure ranks in just the 16th percentile nationally and 25th in New York—meaning three-quarters of similar programs produce better immediate outcomes. Parents should recognize that even at an elite liberal arts college, fine arts graduates face challenging early-career economics.

The fundamental question is whether your child can weather those difficult first years. If they have financial support to supplement that sub-$20k starting salary while building their career, the program's trajectory looks more promising. But families counting on immediate financial independence after graduation will find this path unrealistic, regardless of Vassar's academic prestige. The small sample size adds uncertainty: actual outcomes for your child could vary significantly from these medians.