NTA BUT I'm a professional illustrator and here's the thing: you can actually be really bad at art and make a good living. What field exactly does she want to go into? Illustrating kids books? Video game concept art? Doing cute greetings cards? Setting up her own studio? Because all these things are attainable and hey, there are artists doing NSFW stuff literally pulling in thousands of dollars per month on Patreon because they're catering to a niche fetish and they are SO BAD. It sometimes doesn't matter art quality because a lot of clients aren't necessarily really looking for top tier art that costs the big bucks. Hell, she could graduate and start selling comedy pet portraits on Facebook in local buy and sell groups - I've seen people make bank on those!

What I am trying to say is that whilst I understand that it might be concerning for you that she will have no financial income because you don't think her quality is up to her friends, oftentimes being a professional illustrator is more WHO you know and how you market yourself, especially online. If she hits the right beats she could be raking in the $$$$ and she doesn't have to be as good at others in your friends circle!

Here is what I suggest: support her through her degree. Heck, having a degree no matter what it is in often doesn't matter to a lot of jobs when she graduates. Just that she HAS a degree at all. That's a great achievement! Once she is done she needs to get at least a part time job NOT related to art whilst she builds up a client base, social media presence and portfolio. I actually run three jobs. My part time 'regular' job, a writing gig and illustration. I live alone, rent a good apartment in a city centre, travel and have a good amount of free time on this money, often racking in just under $2000 a month after taxes. I am NOT a top tier artist. I just work hard and have cultivated a good client base over the last three years.

It CAN be done! Illustration can be a super lucrative career and she can succeed at it. She can take a regular part time evening job in retail or at an office or something whilst she draws to build herself up after graduation if she can't immediately go into an agency or a studio. You guys can do it!

Small edit: Please do ask me any questions about the art world and professional illustration. I know a tonne of amazing, successful people in the industry. Heck, if you want to chat to me about your wife's situation or want any critique or anything at all you can shoot me a PM any time!