Visual and Performing Arts, General: degree ROI, salary & best colleges
Visual and Performing Arts, General graduates earn a median $41,688 four years after finishing — at or below the $48,360 high-school baseline, so on national medians the degree does not clear a typical bill on earnings alone. Where you study and the specific role matter more here than the field average. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026 · our math.)
Visual and Performing Arts, General ranks #198 of 202 bachelor's fields by earnings — pays more than 2% of majors.
| # | College | State | Grad earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fordham University | NY | $65,848 |
| 2 | Champlain College | VT | $57,883 |
| 3 | Texas A&M University-College Station | TX | $57,002 |
| 4 | George Mason University | VA | $54,703 |
| 5 | The University of Texas at Austin | TX | $53,829 |
| 6 | University of Central Florida | FL | $52,922 |
| 7 | University of Missouri-Columbia | MO | $50,205 |
| 8 | Lesley University | MA | $49,175 |
| 9 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion | AZ | $48,589 |
| 10 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion | AZ | $48,589 |
| 11 | California State University-San Marcos | CA | $48,043 |
| 12 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | WI | $47,819 |
College Scorecard field-of-study (2026), program-level median earnings for this CIP · our ranking.
How we compute this. Earnings are the national median for graduates of this field measured 1 and 4 years after completion (Scorecard field-of-study, bachelor's). Premium = 4-year earnings − the $48,360 high-school baseline. Payback = a representative 4-year net cost (median college net price × 4) ÷ premium. Field medians blend every school — a specific program can pay far more or less. Full method on the methodology page; the field ranking is on ROI by major.