Best Visual and Performing Arts institutions in the US, ranked by earnings
Compare 407 U.S. colleges offering Visual and Performing Arts by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 48 states.
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 50 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $51,248 | 4 | 78% | $36,004 | $27,000 |
| 2 | Longwood University Farmville, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,812 | 23 | 61% | — | $27,250 |
| 3 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI Public · Certificate degree | $34,346 | 17 | 49% | — | $25,787 |
| 4 | Siena College Loudonville, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,017 | 9 | 75% | $30,138 | $26,924 |
| 5 | George Mason University Fairfax, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,941 | 139 | 68% | — | $25,620 |
| 6 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,966 | 35 | 47% | — | $28,750 |
| 7 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,629 | 66 | 91% | — | $17,983 |
| 8 | University of Florida - Online Gainesville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,629 | 30 | 85% | — | $17,983 |
| 9 | Champlain College Burlington, VT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,138 | 41 | 65% | $32,531 | $27,000 |
| 10 | Albany State University Albany, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,798 | 17 | 31% | — | $30,660 |
| 11 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,775 | 37 | 75% | — | $21,719 |
| 12 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,707 | 73 | 89% | — | $21,500 |
| 13 | Austin Community College District Austin, TX Public · Associate degree | $29,669 | 100 | 20% | — | $10,000 |
| 14 | University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,130 | 12 | 66% | — | $26,000 |
| 15 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,878 | 453 | 78% | — | $24,250 |
| 16 | Academy of Art University San Francisco, CA Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $28,494 | 59 | 34% | $40,294 | $31,000 |
| 17 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,494 | 411 | 76% | — | $21,196 |
| 18 | University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,226 | 42 | 59% | — | $24,500 |
| 19 | University of Advancing Technology Tempe, AZ Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,824 | 23 | 35% | $21,175 | $29,750 |
| 20 | California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,741 | 80 | 55% | — | $18,750 |
| 21 | University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,684 | 17 | 55% | $20,012 | $27,000 |
| 22 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,636 | 81 | 52% | — | — |
| 23 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,246 | 15 | 91% | $18,925 | — |
| 24 | Moore College of Art and Design Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,107 | 18 | 57% | $43,204 | — |
| 25 | Stetson University DeLand, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,913 | 23 | 62% | $21,948 | $27,000 |
| 26 | Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,668 | 58 | 58% | — | $26,750 |
| 27 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,343 | 52 | 71% | — | $23,522 |
| 28 | University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth North Dartmouth, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,753 | 29 | 52% | — | $27,000 |
| 29 | The University of Tennessee - Martin Martin, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,660 | 13 | 53% | — | $22,625 |
| 30 | Pima Community College Tucson, AZ Public · Associate degree | $25,344 | 78 | 28% | — | $9,541 |
| 31 | University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NM Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,286 | 9 | 55% | — | $16,750 |
| 32 | Delta State University Cleveland, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,839 | 9 | 48% | — | $23,375 |
| 33 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,752 | 46 | 67% | — | $27,000 |
| 34 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $24,691 | 59 | 43% | $21,535 | $26,991 |
| 35 | Suffolk County Community College Selden, NY Public · Associate degree | $23,694 | 53 | 29% | — | — |
| 36 | Christopher Newport University Newport News, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,656 | 45 | 72% | — | $26,000 |
| 37 | Jackson State University Jackson, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,555 | 10 | 51% | — | $31,000 |
| 38 | University of North Carolina Asheville Asheville, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,023 | 41 | 54% | — | $23,250 |
| 39 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $22,817 | 14 | 68% | — | $22,625 |
| 40 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $22,817 | 13 | 0% | — | — |
| 41 | Full Sail University Winter Park, FL Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $22,439 | 422 | 44% | $32,163 | $27,000 |
| 42 | East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania East Stroudsburg, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $22,349 | 21 | 43% | — | $27,400 |
| 43 | SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $22,024 | 39 | 63% | — | $27,000 |
| 44 | LaGrange College Lagrange, GA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $21,824 | 5 | 47% | $19,283 | — |
| 45 | Otis College of Art and Design Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $21,558 | 105 | 66% | $44,867 | $27,000 |
| 46 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TX Public · Associate degree | $21,173 | 80 | 30% | — | — |
| 47 | Bennington College Bennington, VT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $20,809 | 17 | 71% | $27,554 | $27,000 |
| 48 | Stockton University Galloway, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $20,705 | 31 | 69% | — | $25,000 |
| 49 | Temple University Philadelphia, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $20,667 | 15 | 75% | — | $26,500 |
| 50 | Lesley University Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $20,600 | 29 | 58% | $30,837 | $26,000 |
Offered across 48 states
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
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.
Tools & technology
Concentrations within Visual and Performing Arts
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Visual and Performing Arts, GeneralCIP 50.0101
A general, undifferentiated program that focuses on the visual and performing arts and that may prepare individuals in any of the visual artistic media or performing disciplines.
- Digital ArtsCIP 50.0102
A general, undifferentiated program that focuses on the use of computerized digital images as the primary medium of expression in the visual and performing arts, and that may prepare individuals for a
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.
Related programs
Other programs in the same field of study.
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