Best colleges for Visual and Performing Arts in North Carolina
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of North Carolina Asheville, Warren Wilson College and Elizabeth City State University award the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees and certificates in North Carolina: 33, 18 and 8 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 North Carolina colleges offer Visual and Performing Arts and award 72 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Visual and Performing Arts program offers a comprehensive exploration of artistic expression through various mediums. This program is designed for students who are passionate about creativity and wish to develop their skills in both…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Carolina Asheville Asheville Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,023 | 33 | 54% | — | $23,250 |
Colleges awarding the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees in North Carolina
Top 7 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Carolina Asheville Asheville Public | 33 | $23,023 |
| 2 | Warren Wilson College Swannanoa Private not-for-profit | 18 | Not reported |
| 3 | Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 4 | North Carolina Central University Durham Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 5 | Salem College Winston-Salem Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 6 | Lees-McRae College Banner Elk Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
| 7 | William Peace University Raleigh Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in North Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Visual and Performing Arts programs in North Carolina.
Which North Carolina colleges award the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees?+
University of North Carolina Asheville (33 graduates a year), Warren Wilson College (18 graduates a year) and Elizabeth City State University (8 graduates a year) award the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees and certificates in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 North Carolina colleges offer Visual and Performing Arts.
Which Visual and Performing Arts program in North Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of North Carolina Asheville tops the list at $23,023. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in North Carolina?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in North Carolina is $63,250 (median $58,450), across about 5,660 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Visual and Performing Arts program?+
The Visual and Performing Arts program offers a comprehensive exploration of artistic expression through various mediums. This program is designed for students who are passionate about creativity and wish to develop their skills in both…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop active listening, speaking, critical thinking, writing, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Graphic Designers?+
The national job outlook is about +2.1% growth with around 20,000 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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