Fine and Studio Arts at Wichita State University

Wichita State's Fine and Studio Arts program outperforms most comparable programs nationally and within Kansas, but the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means these figures could swing dramatically year to year. That caveat aside, graduates start at $27,518, placing them in the 66th percentile nationally for arts programs and right at the Kansas median. More importantly, they're carrying $28,150 in debt—substantially less than the typical fine arts graduate nationally.

The debt picture deserves emphasis: that 1.02 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable for an arts degree, where starting salaries rarely break $30,000. Wichita State students graduate owing about $3,000 less than peers at other Kansas schools, which matters when you're building a creative career. Earnings do inch upward to $28,955 by year four, though neither figure suggests financial security without additional income streams—a reality across studio arts programs, not just this one.

For an art-focused student set on Wichita State, this program appears viable compared to alternatives. It ranks second among Kansas programs that report data, trailing only Fort Hays. But given the small cohort size, one difficult employment year could dramatically shift these numbers. Parents should verify current graduation rates and employment support specifically for arts majors before committing.