My daughter is an arts major. I have many discussions with her and her classmates about their post graduate prospects. To a person, their expectations for salary are very low. They could actually be higher. There are no, zero, nada, delusions that they are going make a ton of money.
So, to present their degree and the salary prospects as if that was a major consideration is really kind of a BS argument.
The funny thing is that the application process for “art” school was more competitive and “in your face mean” than any college admission process I had seen. To get into a world class art program is as competitive as any top tier business education university. They simply look at different skill sets.
Many folks think of it as finger painting every day. They do not see the chemistry of pigments, the physics of kilns, the discipline and workload of any military school I’ve seen, and the marketing aspects of presenting and selling their work.
If you think the critique of a grad level case study in Mgmt 503 is harsh—the critiques of art projects are brutal and they are designed to make the student improve and toughen up for the harshness of the art world. The mental toughness of these kids just blows me away.
I am not trying to convince anyone that art school is the best investment of school loans—but comparing outcomes without discussing expectations is a rookie mistake in presenting information like this.
My brother went to Cooper Union in NYC for art. If you are good enough to be admitted your education is free.
I think they are going to change their policy, however.
There is always room for the best in any discipline.
Our little corner of coastal FL hosts Plein Air artists once a year. They make huge $ from their original works.
>>There are no, zero, nada, delusions that they are going make a ton of money.<<
Are they going to graduate free from their student loans? Or is there going to be a balance remaining? How are they expecting to pay off these loans if they don’t earn more than required for living expenses?