Oregon · Visual and Performing Arts

Best colleges for Visual and Performing Arts in Oregon

Ranked by graduate earnings

Oregon State University, Pacific University and Linfield University award the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees and certificates in Oregon: 13, 3 and 2 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 Oregon colleges offer Visual and Performing Arts and award 58 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…

Institutions
7
offering CIP 50.01
States offered
47
with a program page
Degrees / yr
58
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$13,895
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$30,571
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
46%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Graphic Designers
$85,140
BLS OEWS May 2025

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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Pacific Northwest College of Art
Portland Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$13,8952029%$40,553—

Colleges awarding the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees in Oregon

Top 4 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.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Oregon State University
Corvallis Public
13Not reported
2Pacific University
Forest Grove Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
3Linfield University
McMinnville Private not-for-profit
2Not reported
4Western Oregon University
Monmouth Public
1Not reported
Show the other 3 Oregon colleges offering Visual and Performing Arts
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Pacific Northwest College of ArtPortlandPrivate not-for-profit20
Chemeketa Community CollegeSalemPublic11
Lane Community CollegeEugenePublic8

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+2.1%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~20,000
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$61,300
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Active ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingWritingActive LearningReading Comprehension

What Graphic Designers earn in Oregon

Jobs in Oregon
4,140
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$85,140
median $66,040
Best-paying metro
$92,530
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Related careers

Graphic Designers
$85,140 avg · 4,140 jobs
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
$100,640 avg · 1,440 jobs
Art Directors
$152,490 avg · 1,040 jobs
Special Effects Artists and Animators
— avg · 870 jobs
Photographers
$69,290 avg · 510 jobs
Craft Artists
$55,820 avg · 170 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Visual and Performing Arts programs in Oregon.

Which Oregon colleges award the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees?+

Oregon State University (13 graduates a year), Pacific University (3 graduates a year) and Linfield University (2 graduates a year) award the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees and certificates in Oregon, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 Oregon colleges offer Visual and Performing Arts.

How much do Graphic Designers earn in Oregon?+

The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Oregon is $85,140 (median $66,040), across about 4,140 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).

Visual and Performing Arts in other statesWisconsinVirginiaColoradoVermontMissouriFloridaTexasCalifornia

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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