Fine and Studio Arts at CUNY LaGuardia Community College

Long Island City, NY · Public · Associate Degree

with a mid-sized student body of 10,556 in Long Island City, NY.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $14,920 place CUNY LaGuardia Community College below the $23,525 national median for Fine and Studio Arts — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 20.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 36% task exposure — and the 28% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Fine and Studio Arts graduates.

At #9 out of 13 programs, CUNY LaGuardia Community College's financial outcomes for Fine and Studio Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $14,920 to $20,322 shows 36% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 20 registered apprenticeships mapped to Fine and Studio Arts, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

35 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
29
Low End
35
Score
36
High End
Earnings $14,920/yr (-37% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$216K
8.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
20.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
12 of 12
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$10,436
Out-of-state: $16,196
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$20,322
36% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Fine and Studio Arts graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Art directors $111,040 +4.2% 50%
Special effects artists and animators $99,800 +1.6% 48%
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190 +1.7% 56%
Art directors
$111,040
+4.2% growth 50% AI-proof
Special effects artists and animators
$99,800
+1.6% growth 48% AI-proof
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
$80,190
+1.7% growth 56% AI-proof

View all 12 career paths with full salary data →

Fine and Studio Arts Career Guide

Explore what Fine and Studio Arts graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 13 programs nationwide.

Read the full Fine and Studio Arts career guide →

Compare & Explore

Fine and Studio Arts Overview

Fine and Studio Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at CUNY LaGuardia Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 35/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Fine and Studio Arts at CUNY LaGuardia Community College?
At 35/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Fine and Studio Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Can you still earn well with Fine and Studio Arts from CUNY LaGuardia Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If CUNY LaGuardia Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Fine and Studio Arts program at CUNY LaGuardia Community College?
Beyond CUNY LaGuardia Community College's classroom route, 20 registered apprenticeships map to Fine and Studio Arts careers — including Bench Hand (Jewelry-Silver). Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Will Fine and Studio Arts graduates from CUNY LaGuardia Community College find jobs?
The career paths mapped to Fine and Studio Arts have roughly 118,400 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →