Visual and Performing Arts

Salary data, best schools, and honest ROI assessment

Avg Earnings (4yr)

$28,708

Median Earnings

$41,156

Schools Offering

ROI Grade

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

25th: $37,668Median: $41,15675th: $46,944

Best Schools for Visual and Performing Arts by Earnings

#	School	ROI	4yr Earnings	Net Price	Major Debt	Grade
1	Fordham University NY · Private	79	$65,848	$44,338	$27,000	C
2	Champlain College VT · Private	49	$57,883	$35,860	$27,000	D
3	Texas A&M University-College Station TX · Public	89	$57,002	$21,315	$22,420	B
4	George Mason University VA · Public	86	$54,703	$17,915	$25,620	D
5	The University of Texas at Austin TX · Public	90	$53,829	$19,857	$21,500	D
6	University of Central Florida FL · Public	79	$52,922	$10,411	$24,250	D
7	University of Missouri-Columbia MO · Public	77	$50,205	$20,268	$21,719	D
8	Lesley University MA · Private	38	$49,175	$31,152	$26,000	F
9	Arizona State University Campus Immersion AZ · Public	77	$48,589	$14,967	$22,625	D
10	University of Advancing Technology AZ · Private	28	$48,112	$28,522	$29,750	F
11	California State University-San Marcos CA · Public	80	$48,043	$10,229	$18,750	C
12	University of Wisconsin-Whitewater WI · Public	64	$47,819	$14,158	$24,500	D
13	University of Florida FL · Public	92	$47,546	$6,541	$17,983	C
14	University of Florida-Online FL · Public	91	$47,546	$4,815	$17,983	C
15	SUNY Oneonta NY · Public	72	$47,321	$19,158	$24,250	F
16	Otis College of Art and Design CA · Private	36	$47,220	$51,248	$27,000	F
17	Bowling Green State University-Main Campus OH · Public	32	$46,944	$24,022	$27,000	F
18	University of Toledo OH · Public	48	$46,198	$17,249	$26,166	D
19	University of California-San Diego CA · Public	96	$45,915	$12,470	$15,000	B+
20	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona PA · Public	59	$45,170	$22,213	$24,638	D
21	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus PA · Public	62	$45,170	$32,875	$24,638	D
22	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington PA · Public	63	$45,170	$18,071	$24,638	D
23	Pennsylvania State University-World Campus PA · Public	63	$45,170	$19,550	$24,638	D
24	University of New Mexico-Main Campus NM · Public	38	$44,091	$15,489	$16,750	C
25	Longwood University VA · Public	50	$44,066	$19,066	$27,250	D
26	Empire State University NY · Public	61	$43,473	$11,676	N/A	-
27	Academy of Art University CA · Private	10	$43,084	$40,613	$31,000	F
28	Ramapo College of New Jersey NJ · Public	81	$43,063	$18,173	$25,926	C
29	Southern Oregon University OR · Public	37	$43,044	$16,732	$24,500	F
30	Christopher Newport University VA · Public	64	$42,907	$23,015	$26,000	F
31	Temple University PA · Public	64	$42,731	$28,198	$26,500	F
32	Grand Canyon University AZ · Private	25	$42,219	$22,472	$26,991	F
33	University of Mary Washington VA · Public	71	$41,509	$20,667	$26,000	D
34	Bloomfield College of Montclair State University NJ · Public	50	$41,156	$28,014	N/A	-
35	Montclair State University NJ · Public	71	$41,156	$15,566	N/A	-
36	University of Wisconsin-Stout WI · Public	67	$41,129	$17,490	$29,350	D
37	State University of New York at New Paltz NY · Public	68	$41,097	$18,809	$21,324	F
38	University of Kentucky KY · Public	69	$40,538	$18,851	$23,522	D
39	University of North Carolina Asheville NC · Public	34	$40,444	$12,250	$23,250	F
40	Stockton University NJ · Public	62	$40,199	$20,670	$25,000	F
41	Bennington College VT · Private	26	$39,958	$30,947	$27,000	F
42	SUNY at Purchase College NY · Public	33	$39,791	$18,913	$27,000	F
43	Iowa State University IA · Public	79	$39,403	$18,589	N/A	-
44	Worcester State University MA · Public	77	$39,037	$13,381	N/A	-
45	Mississippi State University MS · Public	54	$38,939	$17,595	$27,000	F
46	University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth MA · Public	70	$38,676	$20,927	$27,000	F
47	University of Southern Mississippi MS · Public	27	$38,599	$21,708	N/A	-
48	Rogers State University OK · Public	28	$37,996	$15,314	N/A	-
49	The University of Tennessee-Martin TN · Public	37	$37,930	$10,701	$22,625	D
50	The University of Texas at Dallas TX · Public	84	$37,825	$18,267	$21,196	D

Poor Value

Is Visual and Performing Arts Worth It?

Passion Play - Manage the Cost

The financial data for Visual and Performing Arts is concerning. Average earnings of $28,708 four years after graduation make it difficult to justify high tuition. If this is your passion, pursue it - but minimize debt aggressively. Consider in-state public schools or scholarship opportunities that bring the net cost down substantially.

This is a more specialized field, offered at 80 schools in our dataset. Fewer options means less room to optimize on cost, so pay close attention to the financial aid packages you receive.

The top school for this major by earnings is Texas A&M University-College Station, where graduates earn $57,002 four years out. But averages hide a wide range - where you attend and what you do with the degree matter as much as the major itself.

Best ROI Schools for Visual and Performing Arts All Majors ROI Calculator Compare Schools

Visual and Performing Arts

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

Best Schools for Visual and Performing Arts by Earnings

Is Visual and Performing Arts Worth It?

Passion Play - Manage the Cost

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