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OKAY, so I decided to do a little math about being an art school teacher in 2021 (thread)
Currently, I make $5,691 per semester teaching a 3 credit illustration course. Not bad, right? Who wouldn't take $1492/month for 20 hours of class time per month?
Interestingly, each of my students are paying (or accumulating in debt) $5,816 in tuition for my course, which is essentially the privilege of skyping with me for 4 hours a week
I have 17 students. Granted, many of them have scholarships, grants and financial aid that help pay for the course, but regardless, my course is generating about $98k in income for the university
Total revenue generated from the class is $98k. I'm making $5,816 (without benefits). My income is 5% of revenue
I don't even think the amount of money I make is bad! I'm just curious where that extra $93k is going? With their tuition, students currently receive access to counseling, an Adobe subscription, JStor and some random streaming services. Facilities and equipment are inaccessible
Dividing my salary by 17, each student is putting $342/semester in my pocket. For that they get lectures, demos, paint overs, resources from me. Beyond that, they are paying an additional $5,349 for ????
An adobe subscription for a full year is $650. Maybe their tuition is just paying for the pedigree of going to an accredited university? I can tell you exactly the number of times a client has asked me if I had an accredited degree:
For students: Personally, I got a lot of value out of the structure of going to college---but, is structure worth it when the price tag is potentially $180k of debt for 4 years?
Even though I loved my Art School experience, I've had to supplement my education with countless hours of online schooling for a fraction of the price of capital A Art School
Teachers: Yes, a 5k$ paycheck for 1 course is nice, but it's a drop in the bucket compared to the income being generated by your course.
Generally, I think college tuition should be federally subsidized. But since it's not, and since private universities (like art schools) are driven by the need to increase profits and fatten pockets for the board....
Maybe we can start thinking of ways to cut out the middle man? Maybe we don't need a college president or middle states accreditation? Maybe there is a system that works better for both teachers and students?
Honestly I realize I am talking out of my ass. I am a fool. Regardless, even a fool can tell that the math doesn't add up.
In my field, portfolio rules over all, and in art school you can end up paying about 150k$ in tuition that does not go towards your portfolio. In my eyes, this means things ought to change.
