WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's+1% vs national median1,535 grads tracked

Fine and Studio Arts at Northern Illinois University

Ranked 96th of 309 bachelor's programs in Fine and Studio Arts by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$33,405
middle 50%: $23,913 – $44,683
Median · 5 years out
$47,853
middle 50%: $34,887 – $63,010
Median · 10 years out
$59,334
middle 50%: $43,577 – $79,986

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Fine and Studio Arts (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Northern Illinois University's bachelor's program in Fine and Studio Arts earn a median $33,405 one year after graduating, rising to $59,334 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 1% above the national median of $47,424 for this field, ranking 96th of 309 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
8.8 yrs
≈ $10,499 total interest

Same major at other universities

Westfield State University
$48,076 · 5 yrs out
Saint Olaf College
$48,059 · 5 yrs out
SUNY College at Geneseo
$48,030 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
$48,009 · 5 yrs out
University of Oregon
$47,996 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth
$47,939 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State University, Mankato
$47,815 · 5 yrs out
University of Lynchburg
$47,802 · 5 yrs out
University of Arizona (The)
$47,772 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Parkside
$47,726 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$47,687 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Charlotte
$47,674 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Northern Illinois University

Education (Doctorate)
$119,874 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$115,599 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$111,551 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$111,291 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$109,443 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$102,156 · 5 yrs out
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,392 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$97,297 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Master's)
$95,329 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,041 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$93,400 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$92,787 · 5 yrs out

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