Fine and Studio Arts bachelor's degree outcomes at Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC · Public · Federal field 5007

Data scope

Federal records group outcomes by college, four-digit field and credential level. A record may cover several catalog programs or concentrations.

The short version

Reported earnings are close to the same-degree benchmark.

$1,662 above the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 60.4% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: Not reached
10-year scenario: −108% · Negative payoff
Price evidence: College-wide context only

OUTCOME SIGNALS

Graduate outcomes from several angles.

Follow earnings over time and inspect the cohort behind each federal measure.

+46%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$24,253 → $35,357

21Earn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

35Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

43Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

45Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median

$17,043Awarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential

—Recent awardsIPEDS 2023–24 first-major completions in this field and credential

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$13,315

Institution-wide annual average net price—not this program’s price.

02 · BORROWING$26,000

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$43,029

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$276/mo

Estimated standard 10-year federal payment.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Published college costs provide the starting point.

Your exact offering, aid, residency and time to finish determine the price you actually pay.

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AVERAGE NET PRICE$13,315Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$19,992Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE81.8%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE60.3%Institution-wide completion rate

WHAT DO GRADUATES EARN?

Reported earnings after completion.

Each point may represent a different federal cohort. A missing bar means the figure was unavailable or suppressed.

$24,253Year 1

$43,029Year 4

$35,357Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

7.7% of gross monthly earnings

Estimated monthly payment divided by observed gross monthly earnings. This excludes taxes, other debts and income-driven repayment.

Gross monthly earnings$3,586

Estimated loan payment$276

45borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$43,029 vs. $41,367

$1,662 above the national median for the same field and credential.

Same-field national median

WHAT WORK CAN IT LEAD TO?

Related occupations, wages and outlook.

Official CIP–SOC links show careers the curriculum may prepare students for—not observed jobs held by this school’s graduates. BLS wages describe everyone working in an occupation.

BLS May 2025 wage estimates and 2025–35 employment projections.

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$73,800 median wageNC estimate · 2,880 jobs · 25-1121+2.2% projected U.S. growth · 8k openings/yrTypical entry: Master's degreeFine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators$55,490 median wageU.S. estimate · 390 jobs · 27-1013-2.9% projected U.S. growth · 2.2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeCraft Artists$46,080 median wageU.S. estimate · 4,580 jobs · 27-1012+2.0% projected U.S. growth · 1k openings/yrTypical entry: No formal educational credentialSpecial Effects Artists and Animators$88,350 median wageNC estimate · 370 jobs · 27-1014-0.3% projected U.S. growth · 4.2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeArtists and Related Workers, All Other$81,850 median wageNC estimate · 80 jobs · 27-1019+2.0% projected U.S. growth · 1.1k openings/yrTypical entry: No formal educational credentialJewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers$55,420 median wageNC estimate · 770 jobs · 51-9071-3.2% projected U.S. growth · 3.7k openings/yrTypical entry: High school diploma or equivalentArt Directors$90,000 median wageNC estimate · 53,070 jobs · 27-1011+4.2% projected U.S. growth · 12.2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeSecondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$57,650 median wageNC estimate · 28,620 jobs · 25-2031-0.2% projected U.S. growth · 63.5k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeArchivists$55,370 median wageNC estimate · 130 jobs · 25-4011+3.4% projected U.S. growth · 1.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Master's degreeCurators$49,470 median wageNC estimate · 600 jobs · 25-4012+4.9% projected U.S. growth · 1.6k openings/yrTypical entry: Master's degreeMuseum Technicians and Conservators$39,290 median wageNC estimate · 450 jobs · 25-4013+3.6% projected U.S. growth · 1.6k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreePhotographers$37,120 median wageNC estimate · 2,130 jobs · 27-4021-0.7% projected U.S. growth · 10.7k openings/yrTypical entry: High school diploma or equivalent

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