The recruitment work of art colleges is under way these days with an annual rush starting up as many young students hope to realize their "star dreams". The major is eye-catching, but the payment is "heartbreaking".

Normally, a student will spend 5,000 yuan every year on average for an ordinary college, whereas more than 10,000 yuan annually for an art college. Some departments of the Central Academy of Fine Arts will cost a student 15,000 yuan a year.

The tuition of the art colleges has become a headache for those from the low-income families.

According to an associate professor from the Beijing Normal University, a graduate has to earn at least 50,000 yuan annually after graduation so as to cover the previous education input. However, it is hard to do so as more and more students graduate from art colleges, and employment becomes tense.

Actually, tuition is merely part of the input for their career training. Statistics show that it will cost a little child at least 100,000 yuan to learn to play a musical instrument, as they will have to pay much buying equipment and seeking tutorship.
 
(China News Service March 5, 2007)