Best colleges for Visual and Performing Arts
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Visual and Performing Arts by graduate earnings are Longwood University ($34,812), George Mason University ($31,941) and University of Colorado Colorado Springs ($30,966), 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%.
- Longwood University (Farmville, VA): $34,812, 21 graduates a year
- George Mason University (Fairfax, VA): $31,941, 136 graduates a year
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs (Colorado Springs, CO): $30,966, 39 graduates a year
- University of Florida (Gainesville, FL): $30,629, 73 graduates a year
- Champlain College (Burlington, VT): $30,138, 45 graduates a year
Compare 427 U.S. colleges offering Visual and Performing Arts by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 47 states.
Visual and Performing Arts programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $25,344 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 50.01 and the Graphic Designers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Visual and Performing Arts programs
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 visual and performing arts, including specializations in Digital Arts. It provides a foundation for those looking to pursue careers in the arts or further their education in related fields.
Students in the Visual and Performing Arts program will acquire essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework covers key knowledge areas including design principles, fine arts, and media communications, equipping students with the tools needed to create compelling artistic works.
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 | Longwood University Farmville, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,812 | 21 | 61% | — | $27,250 |
| 2 | George Mason University Fairfax, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,941 | 136 | 68% | — | $25,620 |
| 3 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,966 | 39 | 47% | — | $28,750 |
| 4 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,629 | 73 | 91% | — | $17,983 |
| 5 | Champlain College Burlington, VT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,138 | 45 | 65% | $32,531 | $27,000 |
| 6 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,775 | 41 | 75% | — | $21,719 |
| 7 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,707 | 76 | 89% | — | $21,500 |
| 8 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,878 | 506 | 78% | — | $24,250 |
| 9 | Academy of Art University San Francisco, CA Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $28,494 | 60 | 34% | $40,294 | $31,000 |
| 10 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,494 | 441 | 76% | — | $21,196 |
| 11 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Whitewater, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,226 | 40 | 59% | — | $24,500 |
| 12 | University of Advancing Technology Tempe, AZ Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,824 | 24 | 35% | $21,175 | $29,750 |
| 13 | California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,741 | 85 | 55% | — | $18,750 |
| 14 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,636 | 81 | 52% | — | — |
| 15 | Moore College of Art and Design Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,107 | 45 | 57% | $43,204 | — |
| 16 | Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,668 | 74 | 58% | — | $26,750 |
| 17 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,343 | 38 | 71% | — | $23,522 |
| 18 | University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth North Dartmouth, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,753 | 20 | 52% | — | $27,000 |
| 19 | The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,660 | 23 | 53% | — | $22,625 |
| 20 | University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,286 | 22 | 55% | — | $16,750 |
| 21 | Delta State University Cleveland, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,839 | 26 | 48% | — | $23,375 |
| 22 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,752 | 30 | 67% | — | $27,000 |
| 23 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $24,691 | 33 | 43% | $21,535 | $26,991 |
| 24 | Christopher Newport University Newport News, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,656 | 40 | 72% | — | $26,000 |
| 25 | University of North Carolina Asheville Asheville, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,023 | 33 | 54% | — | $23,250 |
Top 5 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 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TX Public · Associate degree | $21,173 | 89 | 30% | — | — |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI Public · Certificate Small program | $34,346 | 7 | 49% | — | $25,787 |
| 3 | Austin Community College District Austin, TX Public · Associate degree | $29,669 | 110 | 20% | — | $10,000 |
| 4 | Pima Community College Tucson, AZ Public · Associate degree | $25,344 | 74 | 28% | — | $9,541 |
| 5 | Suffolk County Community College Selden, NY Public · Associate degree | $23,694 | 78 | 29% | — | — |
Specializations within Visual and Performing Arts
2 of the 2 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 50.01 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 47 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 27-1024, Graphic Designers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Visual and Performing Arts program can expect a career outlook that is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 2.1%. There are approximately 20,000 annual job openings in this field, with a median wage of $61,300. A typical education requirement for these careers is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Visual and Performing Arts
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 50.01.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 50.01 (Visual and Performing Arts, General) maps to 8 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 27-1011 | Art Directors |
| 27-1012 | Craft Artists |
| 27-1013 | Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators |
| 27-1014 | Special Effects Artists and Animators |
| 27-1019 | Artists and Related Workers, All Other |
| 27-1024 | Graphic Designersprimary |
| 27-4021 | Photographers |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Visual and Performing 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
- Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.
- Review final layouts and suggest improvements, as needed.
- Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type.
- Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.
- Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
- Use computer software to generate new images.
Common questions
What specializations are available in this program?+
The program offers specializations in Visual and Performing Arts, General and Digital Arts.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, communication, and design.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an estimated 20,000 annual openings.
What is the typical education level for careers in this field?+
Most careers in Visual and Performing Arts require a Bachelor's degree.
How much do Visual and Performing Arts graduates earn?+
Visual and Performing Arts graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $25,344, College Scorecard (2019); the Graphic Designers occupation pays about $70,560 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Visual and Performing Arts?+
Visual and Performing Arts maps to CIP 50.01 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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