Visual and Performing Arts, General programs
CIP 5001 · Visual & Performing Arts · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
71 institutions report graduate earnings for Visual and Performing Arts, General programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $42,475 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56× and 68% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 16 of the 74 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard UniversityMA · Master's | $113,887 n=29 | 95% 1yr | — | — | Above +50% | — |
| 2 | University of Central FloridaFL · Master's | $84,762 n=42 | 81% 1yr | $54,516 | 0.64× | Above +53% | — |
| 3 | University of BaltimoreMD · Post-bacc cert | $70,439 n=40 | — | — | — | Below -7% | — |
| 4 | Fordham UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $65,848 n=47 | 57% 1yr | $27,000 | 0.41× | Above +73% | — |
| 5 | Champlain CollegeVT · Bachelor's | $57,883 n=66 | 44% | $27,000 | 0.47× | Above +48% | Below 1/2 |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeWI · UG cert | $57,561 n=40 | 92% 5yr | $24,528 | 0.43× | Above +48% | Clears 2/2 |
| 7 | Texas A&M University-College StationTX · Bachelor's | $57,002 n=19 | — | $21,327 | 0.37× | Above +59% | — |
| 8 | George Mason UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $54,703 n=105 | 71% | $21,125 | 0.39× | Above +44% | Clears 2/2 |
| 9 | The University of Texas at AustinTX · Bachelor's | $53,829 n=62 | 48% | $21,250 | 0.40× | Above +51% | Below 1/2 |
| 10 | University of Central FloridaFL · Bachelor's | $52,922 n=120 | 79% 5yr | $22,481 | 0.42× | Above +57% | Clears 2/2 |
| 11 | Academy of Art UniversityCA · Master's | $51,874 n=33 | — | $82,872 | 1.60× | Below -31% | — |
| 12 | University of Missouri-ColumbiaMO · Bachelor's | $50,205 n=41 | 50% 1yr | $20,250 | 0.40× | Above +40% | — |
| 13 | Lesley UniversityMA · Bachelor's | $49,175 n=22 | — | $19,625 | 0.40× | Above +13% | — |
| 14 | Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · Bachelor's | $48,589 n=75 | 65% | $21,480 | 0.44× | Above +32% | Clears 2/2 |
| 15 | Arizona State University Digital ImmersionAZ · Bachelor's | $48,589 n=75 | 65% | $21,480 | 0.44× | Above +32% | — |
| 16 | University of Advancing TechnologyAZ · Bachelor's | $48,112 n=29 | — | $29,750 | 0.62× | Above +31% | — |
| 17 | California State University-San MarcosCA · Bachelor's | $48,043 n=42 | 71% | $18,625 | 0.39× | Above +25% | Below 1/2 |
| 18 | University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWI · Bachelor's | $47,819 n=52 | 69% | $22,398 | 0.47× | Above +23% | Below 1/2 |
| 19 | University of FloridaFL · Bachelor's | $47,546 n=55 | 49% 1yr | $18,657 | 0.39× | Above +41% | Clears 2/2 |
| 20 | University of Florida-OnlineFL · Bachelor's | $47,546 n=55 | 49% 1yr | $18,657 | 0.39× | Above +41% | Clears 2/2 |
| 21 | SUNY OneontaNY · Bachelor's | $47,321 n=62 | 79% 5yr | $19,891 | 0.42× | Above +24% | Clears 2/2 |
| 22 | Otis College of Art and DesignCA · Bachelor's | $47,220 n=101 | 63% | $27,000 | 0.57× | Above +23% | Clears 2/2 |
| 23 | Bowling Green State University-Main CampusOH · Bachelor's | $46,944 n=34 | — | $26,869 | 0.57× | Above +28% | Below 1/2 |
| 24 | University of ToledoOH · Bachelor's | $46,198 n=20 | — | $25,000 | 0.54× | Above +26% | — |
| 25 | University of California-San DiegoCA · Bachelor's | $45,915 n=62 | 65% 5yr | $15,000 | 0.33× | Above +19% | Clears 2/2 |
| 26 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusPA · Bachelor's | $45,170 n=26 | 100% | $24,225 | 0.54× | Above +20% | Below 1/2 |
| 27 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State AbingtonPA · Bachelor's | $45,170 n=26 | 100% | $24,225 | 0.54× | Above +20% | Below 1/2 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State AltoonaPA · Bachelor's | $45,170 n=26 | 100% | $24,225 | 0.54× | Above +20% | Below 1/2 |
| 29 | Pennsylvania State University-World CampusPA · Bachelor's | $45,170 n=26 | 100% | $24,225 | 0.54× | Above +20% | Below 1/2 |
| 30 | University of New Mexico-Main CampusNM · Bachelor's | $44,091 n=50 | 41% 1yr | $15,000 | 0.34× | Above +35% | Below 1/2 |
| 31 | Longwood UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $44,066 n=42 | 83% | $27,000 | 0.61× | Above +16% | Clears 2/2 |
| 32 | Empire State UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $43,473 n=42 | 67% 5yr | $18,750 | 0.43× | Above +14% | Clears 2/2 |
| 33 | Academy of Art UniversityCA · Bachelor's | $43,084 n=35 | 47% 1yr | $31,000 | 0.72× | Above +12% | — |
| 34 | Ramapo College of New JerseyNJ · Bachelor's | $43,063 n=25 | — | $22,719 | 0.53× | Above +8% | — |
| 35 | Southern Oregon UniversityOR · Bachelor's | $43,044 n=52 | — | $20,833 | 0.48× | Above +17% | — |
| 36 | Christopher Newport UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $42,907 n=44 | 57% | $25,000 | 0.58× | Above +13% | Below 1/2 |
| 37 | Temple UniversityPA · Bachelor's | $42,731 n=23 | 77% 5yr | $26,000 | 0.61× | Above +13% | Below 1/2 |
| 38 | Grand Canyon UniversityAZ · Bachelor's | $42,219 n=52 | 71% 5yr | $26,465 | 0.63× | Above +15% | Below 1/2 |
| 39 | University of Mary WashingtonVA · Bachelor's | $41,509 n=21 | — | $20,250 | 0.49× | Above +9% | — |
| 40 | Montclair State UniversityNJ · Bachelor's | $41,156 n=80 | — | — | — | Above +3% | — |
| 41 | University of Wisconsin-StoutWI · Bachelor's | $41,129 n=43 | — | $28,000 | 0.68× | Above +6% | — |
| 42 | State University of New York at New PaltzNY · Bachelor's | $41,097 n=16 | 100% | $18,000 | 0.44× | Above +8% | Below 1/2 |
| 43 | University of KentuckyKY · Bachelor's | $40,538 n=18 | 39% 1yr | $20,250 | 0.50× | Above +17% | — |
| 44 | University of North Carolina AshevilleNC · Bachelor's | $40,444 n=57 | 34% 1yr | $22,582 | 0.56× | Above +18% | Clears 2/2 |
| 45 | Stockton UniversityNJ · Bachelor's | $40,199 n=40 | 45% | $23,750 | 0.59× | Above +1% | Below 1/2 |
| 46 | Bennington CollegeVT · Bachelor's | $39,958 n=29 | — | $27,000 | 0.68× | Above +2% | Below 1/2 |
| 47 | SUNY at Purchase CollegeNY · Bachelor's | $39,791 n=17 | — | $27,000 | 0.68× | Above +5% | — |
| 48 | Iowa State UniversityIA · Bachelor's | $39,403 n=18 | — | $24,250 | 0.61× | Above +2% | — |
| 49 | Worcester State UniversityMA · Bachelor's | $39,037 n=16 | — | — | — | Below -10% | — |
| 50 | Mississippi State UniversityMS · Bachelor's | $38,939 n=50 | 84% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.69× | Above +18% | Clears 2/2 |
| 51 | University of Massachusetts-DartmouthMA · Bachelor's | $38,676 n=29 | — | $15,000 | 0.39× | Below -11% | — |
| 52 | University of Southern MississippiMS · Bachelor's | $38,599 n=33 | — | $25,500 | 0.66× | Above +17% | — |
| 53 | Full Sail UniversityFL · Associate | $38,049 n=73 | 46% 1yr | $25,500 | 0.67× | Above +13% | — |
| 54 | Rogers State UniversityOK · Bachelor's | $37,996 n=21 | — | — | — | Above +7% | — |
| 55 | The University of Tennessee-MartinTN · Bachelor's | $37,930 n=36 | 78% | $19,401 | 0.51× | Above +8% | Below 1/2 |
| 56 | The University of Texas at DallasTX · Bachelor's | $37,825 n=49 | 70% 5yr | $19,500 | 0.52× | Above +6% | Clears 2/2 |
| 57 | University of Houston-DowntownTX · Bachelor's | $37,668 n=28 | — | $19,875 | 0.53× | Above +5% | Below 1/2 |
| 58 | University of Colorado Colorado SpringsCO · Bachelor's | $37,628 n=50 | 57% 5yr | $24,500 | 0.65× | Below -10% | Below 2/2 |
| 59 | Wichita State UniversityKS · Bachelor's | $37,012 n=24 | — | $22,126 | 0.60× | Above +2% | Below 1/2 |
| 60 | Full Sail UniversityFL · Bachelor's | $36,870 n=326 | 36% 1yr | $26,533 | 0.72× | Above +9% | — |
| 61 | Columbus College of Art & DesignOH · Master's | $35,887 n=21 | — | $63,396 | 1.77× | Below -43% | Below 2/2 |
| 62 | Oregon State UniversityOR · Bachelor's | $35,819 n=21 | — | $25,652 | 0.72× | Below -2% | Below 2/2 |
| 63 | Oregon State University-Cascades CampusOR · Bachelor's | $35,819 n=21 | — | $25,652 | 0.72× | Below -2% | Below 2/2 |
| 64 | Marshall UniversityWV · Bachelor's | $35,126 n=17 | — | $27,111 | 0.77× | Below +0% | — |
| 65 | Stetson UniversityFL · Bachelor's | $35,045 n=28 | — | $27,000 | 0.77× | Above +4% | Clears 2/2 |
| 66 | New York Institute of TechnologyNY · Bachelor's | $34,055 n=18 | — | $19,808 | 0.58× | Below -10% | — |
| 67 | SUNY College at PotsdamNY · Bachelor's | $33,743 n=18 | — | $26,474 | 0.79× | Below -11% | — |
| 68 | Southeast Missouri State UniversityMO · Bachelor's | $33,293 n=29 | — | $23,320 | 0.70× | Below -7% | Below 2/2 |
| 69 | Jackson State UniversityMS · Bachelor's | $33,213 n=24 | 72% 5yr | $30,495 | 0.92× | Above +1% | Below 1/2 |
| 70 | Savannah State UniversityGA · Bachelor's | $33,175 n=20 | — | $33,260 | 1.00× | Below -6% | Below 2/2 |
| 71 | Salem State UniversityMA · Bachelor's | $32,484 n=31 | 66% 5yr | $25,874 | 0.80× | Below -25% | Below 2/2 |
| 72 | Mississippi University for WomenMS · Bachelor's | $29,090 n=22 | — | $20,878 | 0.72× | Below -12% | — |
| 73 | New Mexico State University-Main CampusNM · Bachelor's | $27,875 n=25 | 100% | $28,500 | 1.02× | Below -14% | Below 2/2 |
| 74 | Escuela de Artes Plasticas y Diseno de Puerto RicoPR · Bachelor's | $23,558 n=22 | — | — | — | Above +43% | Clears 2/2 |
% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years — the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $48,350 | 4 |
| Wisconsin | $47,819 | 3 |
| Florida | $47,546 | 7 |
| California | $47,220 | 5 |
| Ohio | $46,198 | 3 |
| Texas | $45,827 | 4 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,170 | 5 |
| Virginia | $43,486 | 4 |
| New Jersey | $41,156 | 3 |
| New York | $41,097 | 7 |
| Massachusetts | $39,037 | 5 |
| Mississippi | $35,906 | 4 |
| Oregon | $35,819 | 3 |
States with at least 3 reporting Visual and Performing Arts, General programs, by median graduate earnings.
Which colleges have the highest-paying Visual and Performing Arts, General programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Visual and Performing Arts, General programs in this dataset are Harvard University ($113,887), University of Central Florida ($84,762), University of Baltimore ($70,439). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Visual and Performing Arts, General programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 16 of the 74 Visual and Performing Arts, General programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.
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Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.