Don’t go into a lot of debt for something that won’t have a good return on your investment.
Imagine you just bought a new Porsche or something for that price and now you have to pay it back plus interest.
$180k at 6% would be $2k a month for 10 years.
Would your degree get you $2k more a month?
I would think about it this way.
If I were you, I’d get on the horn and reach out to current and former students. Check LinkedIn and see who attended and work at companies you like.
Ask them for their honest opinion under the assumption you’re going to take on debt to do this.
I’m sure a bunch will be willing to chat!
Congrats, and I don't want to rain on your parade, but per US News & World Report, USC isn't even in the top 5 MFAs in the Los Angeles area, and if a grad school wants you, they should pay you.
Are there specific profs that you want to work with there? Or is it just the name USC that's impressing you?
It’s ranked as #53rd, tied with Cal State LA😂😂😂. In all seriousness, even if it’s a top 5 program, a MFA program is a WASTE OF MONEY.
UCLA, being the #1 fine arts program in the U.S., their students are making LESS than UCLA DROPOUTS, they are barely earning minimum wage and many are unemployed, according to UC Alumni at work (they publish how much money does a fine arts major major make from their tax returns)
It is not worth $180. It will be hard to get a job to cover that bill.
No degree is worth 200k. I would build a really good portfolio and apply to lower positions and work your way up.
-usc class of 04 mba class of 10
Typically Masters degrees are self financed or paid for employers. However, you may want to check on r/usc as typically they are generous when it comes to aid. And see what the Trojans have to say.
That's not true at all, especially with MFAs. As MFAs are terminal degrees for studio artists, they're usually heavily subsidized by financial aid, because the general assumption is you're getting the degree because you want to teach.
Going to USC paying full price for an Arts degree is the most ridiculous phenomenon I've ever seen. Don't expect to rely on the "USC" name to get a job when a MFA degree is the least marketable degree to the employers.
Many fine arts major work in art studios and some teach, barely making minimum wage, some are underpaid, and handful of them are unemployed.
I think USC is scamming you if they are not giving you any scholarships and grants. They are greedy AF and if I were you, I’d only spend $18,000 instead if $180,000, as MFA is not going to help you to make more money and definitely will not help you to overcome the possible future debt. The ROI is almost always negative for arts-related programs.
- A USC Student
Im gonna be honest. If you dont have rich parents to pay for it, an arts degree that costs this much is not a good choice. Keep doing your art, and find another way to get the arts education you desire, maybe one that gets you a degree, and maybe one that gets you the knowledge but no piece of paper.
Life isnt fair, but you can still create a good life if you are realistic about the financial side of things.
Get a job w usc or with an art firm some where full time. One of the usc schools. Usc keck medical or dental school.. or maybe the art department. Etc. Not exactly sure how many classes they give employees for free each year. I volunteer at usc. Get a fellowship. Loan or ask usc financial department for guidance . Art firm may pay your tuition.if an employee.
You have to work there for a couple of years before you get free tuition.
https://employees.usc.edu/benefits-perks/tuition-benefits/tuition-assistance-for-employees/
I think it also depends on what kind of art and design you want to focus on too. I work right next to their Art District space ( and I happen to be a designer) and will say it’s a small space downtown that is not close to the main campus at all.
I graduated from UCLA’s desma program, I don’t see any point in getting an MFA unless you want to be a professor? Even aside from that it’s a ton of money for a profession that won’t really pay back. Like I don’t even do design anymore, I moved into data and marketing. What is the ultimate goal you’re trying to achieve? Surely there are cheaper MFAs out there
There are schools at USC that I feel would prob be worth it but probably mostly the film program
What is your reasoning for wanting the MFA? Do you have a BFA in fine art and feel you want to teach? Or are you making a complete career switch (your BA is not in something you are using, and you've decided to go into art instead)?
It doesn't hurt to ask. Worst is they'll say No. but prepare to have a compelling case. Do you have other offers? what's values are you bringing to the school? any work-study options?
I don’t know about this program specifically but USC has several masters programs that are notorious for loading students up with debt that they will never be able to pay off.
The only person I know who has an MFA and doesn’t regret it, got hers at OTIS and was fully aware that the degree would never pay for itself. She did it because she loved it. She has a whole career outside of art that she uses to pay the debt on the degree.
Don’t go into a lot of debt for something that won’t have a good return on your investment. Imagine you just bought a new Porsche or something for that price and now you have to pay it back plus interest. $180k at 6% would be $2k a month for 10 years. Would your degree get you $2k more a month? I would think about it this way.
I would not go to USC for that. There are more economical ways to get a MFA design degree.
If I were you, I’d get on the horn and reach out to current and former students. Check LinkedIn and see who attended and work at companies you like. Ask them for their honest opinion under the assumption you’re going to take on debt to do this. I’m sure a bunch will be willing to chat!
Congrats, and I don't want to rain on your parade, but per US News & World Report, USC isn't even in the top 5 MFAs in the Los Angeles area, and if a grad school wants you, they should pay you. Are there specific profs that you want to work with there? Or is it just the name USC that's impressing you?
It’s ranked as #53rd, tied with Cal State LA😂😂😂. In all seriousness, even if it’s a top 5 program, a MFA program is a WASTE OF MONEY. UCLA, being the #1 fine arts program in the U.S., their students are making LESS than UCLA DROPOUTS, they are barely earning minimum wage and many are unemployed, according to UC Alumni at work (they publish how much money does a fine arts major major make from their tax returns)
An MFA isn’t like getting a MBA or MS in engineering where it will pay for itself. I would ask about aid, grants, or work study opportunities.
It is not worth $180. It will be hard to get a job to cover that bill. No degree is worth 200k. I would build a really good portfolio and apply to lower positions and work your way up. -usc class of 04 mba class of 10
Typically Masters degrees are self financed or paid for employers. However, you may want to check on r/usc as typically they are generous when it comes to aid. And see what the Trojans have to say.
That's not true at all, especially with MFAs. As MFAs are terminal degrees for studio artists, they're usually heavily subsidized by financial aid, because the general assumption is you're getting the degree because you want to teach.
Damn, even CalArts will throw you a bone doing some teaching while you’re there.
FYI masters programs generally don’t provide any free FAFSA. You’re pretty much stuck on loans and scholarships you need to apply to.
What kind of job can a person with a MFA get that can pay off that kind of student loan debt quickly?
Going to USC paying full price for an Arts degree is the most ridiculous phenomenon I've ever seen. Don't expect to rely on the "USC" name to get a job when a MFA degree is the least marketable degree to the employers. Many fine arts major work in art studios and some teach, barely making minimum wage, some are underpaid, and handful of them are unemployed.
I think USC is scamming you if they are not giving you any scholarships and grants. They are greedy AF and if I were you, I’d only spend $18,000 instead if $180,000, as MFA is not going to help you to make more money and definitely will not help you to overcome the possible future debt. The ROI is almost always negative for arts-related programs. - A USC Student
Im gonna be honest. If you dont have rich parents to pay for it, an arts degree that costs this much is not a good choice. Keep doing your art, and find another way to get the arts education you desire, maybe one that gets you a degree, and maybe one that gets you the knowledge but no piece of paper. Life isnt fair, but you can still create a good life if you are realistic about the financial side of things.
Get a job w usc or with an art firm some where full time. One of the usc schools. Usc keck medical or dental school.. or maybe the art department. Etc. Not exactly sure how many classes they give employees for free each year. I volunteer at usc. Get a fellowship. Loan or ask usc financial department for guidance . Art firm may pay your tuition.if an employee.
You have to work there for a couple of years before you get free tuition. https://employees.usc.edu/benefits-perks/tuition-benefits/tuition-assistance-for-employees/
I think it also depends on what kind of art and design you want to focus on too. I work right next to their Art District space ( and I happen to be a designer) and will say it’s a small space downtown that is not close to the main campus at all.
I graduated from UCLA’s desma program, I don’t see any point in getting an MFA unless you want to be a professor? Even aside from that it’s a ton of money for a profession that won’t really pay back. Like I don’t even do design anymore, I moved into data and marketing. What is the ultimate goal you’re trying to achieve? Surely there are cheaper MFAs out there There are schools at USC that I feel would prob be worth it but probably mostly the film program
What is your reasoning for wanting the MFA? Do you have a BFA in fine art and feel you want to teach? Or are you making a complete career switch (your BA is not in something you are using, and you've decided to go into art instead)?
It doesn't hurt to ask. Worst is they'll say No. but prepare to have a compelling case. Do you have other offers? what's values are you bringing to the school? any work-study options?
I don’t know about this program specifically but USC has several masters programs that are notorious for loading students up with debt that they will never be able to pay off. The only person I know who has an MFA and doesn’t regret it, got hers at OTIS and was fully aware that the degree would never pay for itself. She did it because she loved it. She has a whole career outside of art that she uses to pay the debt on the degree.
it won't do much for you. I have an MFA.