Best colleges for Arts
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Arts by graduate earnings are Berklee College of Music ($40,324), The New School ($37,743) and Pace University ($35,948), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA): $40,324, 268 graduates a year
- The New School (New York, NY): $37,743, 233 graduates a year
- Pace University (New York, NY): $35,948, 85 graduates a year
- Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY): $35,389, 46 graduates a year
- Butler University (Indianapolis, IN): $34,911, 26 graduates a year
Compare 233 U.S. colleges offering Arts by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 43 states.
Arts programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $28,357 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 50.10 and the Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes occupation (BLS SOC).
About Arts programs
The Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management program focuses on the visual and performing arts, preparing students for various roles within the creative industries. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about arts management, seeking to develop their skills in overseeing artistic projects and events. Students will explore various specializations, including Fine and Studio Arts Management, Music Management, and Theatre Arts Management.
Students in this program will gain core skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework will cover essential knowledge areas such as customer service, sales and marketing, and administration, equipping graduates with the tools needed to succeed in the arts and entertainment sectors.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Berklee College of Music Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,324 | 268 | 67% | $46,197 | $26,375 |
| 2 | The New School New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,743 | 233 | 69% | $54,185 | $25,000 |
| 3 | Pace University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,948 | 85 | 60% | $29,994 | $25,985 |
| 4 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,389 | 46 | 84% | $28,851 | $27,000 |
| 5 | Butler University Indianapolis, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,911 | 26 | 80% | $35,696 | $25,000 |
| 6 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,904 | 26 | 43% | $21,535 | $27,000 |
| 7 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,502 | 39 | 80% | — | $21,908 |
| 8 | Belmont University Nashville, TN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,666 | 376 | 71% | $29,246 | $22,750 |
| 9 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,025 | 151 | 78% | — | $22,569 |
| 10 | Full Sail University Winter Park, FL Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $28,947 | 564 | 44% | $32,163 | $39,580 |
| 11 | SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,449 | 35 | 69% | — | $23,250 |
| 12 | Fashion Institute of Technology New York, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,941 | 28 | 81% | — | $24,734 |
| 13 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,323 | 40 | 71% | — | $27,000 |
| 14 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,172 | 123 | 54% | — | $23,250 |
| 15 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,975 | 113 | 92% | $26,873 | $21,250 |
| 16 | University of North Alabama Florence, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,805 | 20 | 55% | — | $24,937 |
| 17 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $24,205 | 131 | 78% | $36,004 | $25,468 |
| 18 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $23,844 | 88 | 52% | $28,087 | $26,000 |
| 19 | University of New Haven West Haven, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $23,782 | 21 | 63% | $32,614 | $27,000 |
| 20 | College of Charleston Charleston, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,713 | 53 | 66% | — | $21,874 |
| 21 | Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, LA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $20,257 | 51 | 59% | $22,906 | $27,000 |
| 22 | Los Angeles Film School Hollywood, CA Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $18,706 | 109 | 41% | $32,792 | $44,250 |
| 23 | SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $18,079 | 26 | 63% | — | $22,418 |
| 24 | Howard University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $17,095 | 42 | 70% | $48,194 | $27,000 |
| 25 | Champlain College Burlington, VT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $37,872 | 10 | 65% | $32,531 | — |
Top 3 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Georgia Athens, GA Public · Certificate | $33,927 | 81 | 90% | — | $21,492 |
| 2 | SAE Institute of Technology - Nashville Nashville, TN Private for-profit · Associate degree | $17,881 | 27 | 42% | $21,395 | $20,000 |
| 3 | Austin Community College District Austin, TX Public · Associate degree | $22,265 | 174 | 20% | — | $14,375 |
Specializations within Arts
5 of the 5 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 50.10 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Music ManagementCIP 50.10031,935 graduates / yr107 institutions29 states
- Arts, Entertainment, and Media ManagementCIP 50.10011,040 graduates / yr70 institutions34 states
- Fine and Studio Arts ManagementCIP 50.1002937 graduates / yr62 institutions31 states
- Arts, Entertainment, and Media ManagementCIP 50.1099512 graduates / yr15 institutions12 states
- Theatre/CIP 50.1004
Theatre Arts Management 216 graduates / yr23 institutions13 states
Offered across 43 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 13-1011, Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management program can expect a bright career outlook, with an estimated growth rate of 8.7% and about 2,200 annual job openings. Typical positions require a Bachelor's degree, and the median wage in this field is approximately $96,310.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Arts
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 50.10.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 50.10 (Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management) maps to 5 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9199 | Managers, All Other |
| 13-1011 | Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletesprimary |
| 25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 27-2012 | Producers and Directors |
| 27-2041 | Music Directors and Composers |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Arts programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Collect fees, commissions, or other payments, according to contract terms.
- Send samples of clients' work and other promotional material to potential employers to obtain auditions, sponsorships, or endorsement deals.
- Keep informed of industry trends and deals.
- Conduct auditions or interviews to evaluate potential clients.
- Negotiate with managers, promoters, union officials, and other persons regarding clients' contractual rights and obligations.
- Confer with clients to develop strategies for their careers, and to explain actions taken on their behalf.
Common questions
What specializations are available in this program?+
Specializations include Fine and Studio Arts Management, Music Management, Theatre Arts Management, and more.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, writing, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with an estimated growth rate of 8.7%.
What is the typical education required for careers in this field?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for careers in Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management.
How much do Arts graduates earn?+
Arts graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $28,357, College Scorecard (2019); the Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes occupation pays about $141,580 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Arts?+
Arts maps to CIP 50.10 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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