RISD vs UCSD vs UCI

<p>I have no idea which school I should choose. I plan on majoring in illustration or biology.</p>

<p>RISD is considered the #1 art school in America but their prestige comes with a huge price tag. At RISD I would be around a lot of artsy people, and would have a better education of art. Also, after graduation it would be easier to get a job, especially with RISD printed on my resume. But the price is ridiculous, even with a huge scholarship I would still be over $100k in debt after 4 years.</p>

<p>While at UCSD and UCI, I would only have to pay $10k a year. But their art majors is incomparable to RISD. I got accepted into biology at UCSD and chemistry at UCI, both impacted majors. I plan to double major art along with science if I end up going to a UC. The main reason I'm interested in a UC is because of their cheaper price. </p>

<p>I'm really confused on what school I should pick. I'm skeptical I would make enough money as an artist. But majoring art at UCSD or UCI seems like a huge downgrade from RISD. Help!</p>

<p>Let’s be honest with ourselves. Most fine arts majors don’t make a lot of money. Neither are they competitive against even other liberal arts degrees such as English for general jobs as employers don’t perceive it as an area of serious study. </p>

<p>While there is a chance you can break through and make a decent living, there is a much higher chance that you’ll end up working as a cashier or as a stay-at-home mother/father for the rest of your life. You’re never going to recuperate that $100,000 working at McDonald’s! </p>

<p>Go to UC San Diego, get a low-debt conventional degree, and make a living. Sure their art major is weaker but art is a hobby and should be secondary to your decision.</p>

<p>You can’t afford RISD so just take it off the table. </p>

<p>A double major in science and art has very interesting possibilities. If you decide later to pursue further art studies, there will be plenty of MFA programs that will be happy to take you and that will be less expensive than four years at RISD.</p>

<p>UCSD over UCI - RISD=NO WAY</p>