Fine and Studio Arts bachelor's degree programs in Illinois
Compare 12 reporting programs using the same federal field and bachelor's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.
Highest reported earnings in Illinois
Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.
1Illinois State UniversityNormal · $20,125 federal debt$51,3862School of the Art Institute of ChicagoChicago · $27,000 federal debt$45,6023Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale · $26,500 federal debt$44,9024Northeastern Illinois UniversityChicago · $20,319 federal debt$44,3125Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb · $25,781 federal debt$44,2026Columbia College ChicagoChicago · $26,000 federal debt$42,1767University of Illinois ChicagoChicago · $26,000 federal debt$41,9248Eastern Illinois UniversityCharleston · $25,000 federal debt$39,9239Wheaton CollegeWheaton · $23,281 federal debt$38,36310DePaul UniversityChicago · $26,999 federal debt$37,085
CAREER CONTEXT IN IL
What related occupations pay in Illinois
These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.
25-1121Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
- State median wage
- $62,960
- Middle 50% wage range
- $47,230–$85,620
- State employment
- 4,170
- Projected growth
- +2.2%
- Annual openings
- 8,000
27-1013Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
- State median wage
- $53,850
- Middle 50% wage range
- $43,770–$76,900
- State employment
- Not reported
- Projected growth
- -2.9%
- Annual openings
- 2,200
27-1012Craft Artists
- State median wage
- $43,040
- Middle 50% wage range
- $33,670–$68,080
- State employment
- Not reported
- Projected growth
- +2.0%
- Annual openings
- 1,000
27-1014Special Effects Artists and Animators
- State median wage
- $81,180
- Middle 50% wage range
- $67,230–$108,640
- State employment
- 630
- Projected growth
- -0.3%
- Annual openings
- 4,200
51-9071Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
- State median wage
- $54,990
- Middle 50% wage range
- $42,650–$67,620
- State employment
- 610
- Projected growth
- -3.2%
- Annual openings
- 3,700
27-1011Art Directors
- State median wage
- $103,550
- Middle 50% wage range
- $79,820–$134,680
- State employment
- 2,960
- Projected growth
- +4.2%
- Annual openings
- 12,200
25-2031Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- State median wage
- $79,990
- Middle 50% wage range
- $62,330–$104,670
- State employment
- 44,670
- Projected growth
- -0.2%
- Annual openings
- 63,500
25-4012Curators
- State median wage
- $63,060
- Middle 50% wage range
- $48,320–$80,410
- State employment
- 410
- Projected growth
- +4.9%
- Annual openings
- 1,600
Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in Illinois; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.
ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS
Compare every available outcome
Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.
| # | College | City | Median year-4 earnings | Median federal debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois State University | Normal | $51,386 | $20,125 |
| 2 | School of the Art Institute of Chicago | Chicago | $45,602 | $27,000 |
| 3 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Carbondale | $44,902 | $26,500 |
| 4 | Northeastern Illinois University | Chicago | $44,312 | $20,319 |
| 5 | Northern Illinois University | Dekalb | $44,202 | $25,781 |
| 6 | Columbia College Chicago | Chicago | $42,176 | $26,000 |
| 7 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago | $41,924 | $26,000 |
| 8 | Eastern Illinois University | Charleston | $39,923 | $25,000 |
| 9 | Wheaton College | Wheaton | $38,363 | $23,281 |
| 10 | DePaul University | Chicago | $37,085 | $26,999 |
| 11 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville | $36,717 | $27,280 |
| 12 | Western Illinois University | Macomb | $35,703 | $27,000 |
This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.
A quick read on Fine and Studio Arts in Illinois
What do Fine and Studio Arts bachelor's degree graduates earn in Illinois?
Across 12 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $41,924 four years after completion.
How much federal debt is reported for these programs?
The median is $26,000 among the 12 programs reporting federal debt.
Which Illinois colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?
The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. Illinois State University has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.