Visual and Performing Arts, General
Offered at 477 college programs that reported results. Here is what graduates earn and owe at each credential level, and which programs pay best.
By credential level
| Credential | Programs | Typical earnings, 1 yr | Typical earnings, 5 yrs | Typical debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 52 | — | — | $19,406 |
| Associate | 152 | $27,290 | $36,469 | $9,250 |
| Bachelor's | 231 | $30,968 | $45,518 | $24,250 |
| Master's | 31 | $69,298 | $78,164 | — |
| Doctoral | 5 | — | — | — |
| Graduate certificate | 6 | — | — | — |
"Typical" is the median across programs of each program's median, counting only programs with unsuppressed data (at least three). It describes a typical program, not a national median for all graduates. Certificate figures include certificates earned at four-year colleges, often alongside a bachelor's; see degrees vs. certificates for a cleaner comparison. Source: College Scorecard field of study data.
One year after finishing, a typical associate program in this field reports median earnings of $27,290, versus $30,968 for a typical bachelor's program.
Highest-earning certificate programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | WI | $45,986 | $59,728 | $25,000 |
| 2 | Full Sail University | FL | $26,332 | — | $13,812 |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Highest-earning associate programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northern Virginia Community College | VA | — | $48,005 | — |
| 2 | Harrisburg Area Community College | PA | — | $40,878 | — |
| 3 | Austin Community College District | TX | $39,441 | — | $15,788 |
| 4 | Full Sail University | FL | $30,071 | $37,721 | $27,000 |
| 5 | Hennepin Technical College | MN | — | $37,269 | — |
| 6 | Suffolk County Community College | NY | — | $37,221 | — |
| 7 | San Jacinto Community College | TX | $23,847 | $36,921 | — |
| 8 | Dutchess Community College | NY | $32,194 | $36,469 | — |
| 9 | Victor Valley College | CA | — | $35,076 | — |
| 10 | NHTI-Concord's Community College | NH | — | $34,996 | — |
| 11 | CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College | NY | — | $33,631 | — |
| 12 | Pima Community College | AZ | $24,081 | $32,912 | $8,500 |
| 13 | CUNY Queensborough Community College | NY | $19,693 | $32,384 | — |
| 14 | CUNY Bronx Community College | NY | $25,370 | $31,181 | — |
| 15 | Community College of Baltimore County | MD | $31,064 | — | $7,000 |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Highest-earning bachelor's programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern California | CA | $40,240 | $79,510 | $17,750 |
| 2 | University of Florida | FL | $31,197 | $62,338 | $11,579 |
| 3 | University of Florida-Online | FL | $31,197 | $62,338 | $11,579 |
| 4 | Gnomon | CA | $60,803 | — | $31,046 |
| 5 | George Mason University | VA | $32,948 | $60,125 | $20,730 |
| 6 | University of Missouri-Columbia | MO | $34,992 | $59,271 | $15,000 |
| 7 | Otis College of Art and Design | CA | $31,484 | $58,732 | $27,000 |
| 8 | University of Central Florida | FL | $32,957 | $57,385 | $19,250 |
| 9 | The University of Texas at Austin | TX | $34,774 | $56,219 | $20,500 |
| 10 | Azusa Pacific University | CA | $26,507 | $55,390 | $19,000 |
| 11 | SUNY Oneonta | NY | $35,893 | $54,759 | $22,875 |
| 12 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion | AZ | $30,186 | $53,466 | $25,000 |
| 13 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion | AZ | $30,186 | $53,466 | $25,000 |
| 14 | Boston University | MA | — | $51,738 | — |
| 15 | Kennesaw State University | GA | $29,229 | $51,000 | $23,250 |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Highest-earning master's programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University | MA | $90,576 | $110,723 | — |
| 2 | University of Central Florida | FL | $69,298 | $89,598 | — |
| 3 | The University of Montana | MT | — | $66,730 | — |
| 4 | Minneapolis College of Art and Design | MN | $66,037 | — | — |
| 5 | Academy of Art University | CA | — | $50,339 | — |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Related fields
Quick answers
- How much do visual and performing arts, general graduates earn?
- One year after finishing, a typical bachelor's program in visual and performing arts, general reports median earnings of $30,968. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field of study data.
