Best institutions to study Visual and Performing Arts
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.
270 U.S. institutions graduated 3,397 Visual and Performing Arts students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0101, a specialization of Visual and Performing Arts (CIP 50.01), and leads most directly to the Photographers occupation (BLS SOC 27-4021).
About Visual and Performing Arts programs
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.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Visual and Performing Arts program offers a comprehensive exploration of the visual and performing arts, catering to individuals interested in various artistic media and disciplines. This general program is designed for students who wish to develop their creative skills and pursue careers in the arts, whether in visual arts, performance, or related fields.
Students in this program will acquire essential skills such as speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and writing. They will also gain knowledge in customer service, sales and marketing, and media communications, preparing them for diverse opportunities in the arts sector.
Credentials awarded
What Visual and Performing Arts graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree1,524 graduates / yr · 133 institutions45%
- Bachelor's degree1,513 graduates / yr · 115 institutions45%
- Award of less than 12 weeks113 graduates / yr · 2 institutions3.3%
- Master's degree92 graduates / yr · 18 institutions2.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year67 graduates / yr · 14 institutions2.0%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years43 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship21 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.6%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate15 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.4%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.1%
- Post-master's certificate4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Visual and Performing Arts completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,743 |
| 2013 | 3,003 |
| 2014 | 3,040 |
| 2015 | 2,986 |
| 2016 | 3,081 |
| 2017 | 2,892 |
| 2018 | 2,996 |
| 2019 | 3,091 |
| 2020 | 3,266 |
| 2021 | 3,047 |
| 2022 | 3,117 |
| 2023 | 3,024 |
| 2024 | 3,239 |
| 2025 | 3,397 |
Top 50 institutions for Visual and Performing Arts, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 136 | 68% | — | $31,941 |
| 2 | Columbus State Community College Columbus, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 109 | 28% | — | — |
| 3 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TXPublicAssociate's | 89 | 30% | — | $21,173 |
| 4 | California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CAPublicBachelor's | 85 | 55% | — | $27,741 |
| 5 | Victor Valley College Victorville, CAPublicAssociate's | 80 | 62% | — | — |
| 6 | Fullerton College Fullerton, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 74 | 34% | — | — |
| 7 | Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MOPublicBachelor's | 74 | 58% | — | $26,668 |
| 8 | Connecticut State Community College New Britain, CTPublicAssociate's | 66 | 24% | — | — |
| 9 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CAPublicAssociate's | 65 | 36% | — | — |
| 10 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 62 | 86% | — | — |
| 11 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 58 | 76% | — | $28,494 |
| 12 | Pima Community College Tucson, AZPublicAssociate's | 52 | 28% | — | $25,344 |
| 13 | Suffolk County Community College Selden, NYPublicAssociate's | 48 | 29% | — | $23,694 |
| 14 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perkinston, MSPublicAssociate's | 46 | 48% | — | — |
| 15 | Ocean County College Toms River, NJPublicAssociate's | 44 | 42% | — | — |
| 16 | American Musical and Dramatic Academy New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 43 | 72% | $40,932 | — |
| 17 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 42 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 18 | Citrus College Glendora, CAPublicAssociate's | 41 | 41% | — | — |
| 19 | Christopher Newport University Newport News, VAPublicBachelor's | 40 | 72% | — | $23,656 |
| 20 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, COPublicBachelor's | 39 | 47% | — | $30,966 |
| 21 | State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, NYPublicBachelor's | 36 | 72% | — | $19,893 |
| 22 | Community College of Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicAssociate's | 35 | 19% | — | — |
| 23 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAssociate's | 34 | 45% | — | — |
| 24 | University of Houston - Downtown Houston, TXPublicBachelor's | 34 | 33% | — | $19,527 |
| 25 | Marshall University Huntington, WVPublicBachelor's | 34 | 51% | — | — |
| 26 | SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 33 | 63% | — | $22,024 |
| 27 | Wichita State University Wichita, KSPublicBachelor'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 31 | 51% | — | $20,013 |
| 28 | Bloomfield College of Montclair State University Bloomfield, NJPublicBachelor's | 31 | 38% | $20,940 | $17,625 |
| 29 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicBachelor's | 30 | 67% | — | $24,752 |
| 30 | SUNY Westchester Community College Valhalla, NYPublicAssociate's | 29 | 25% | — | — |
| 31 | Pellissippi State Community College Knoxville, TNPublicAssociate's | 29 | 31% | — | — |
| 32 | Dutchess Community College Poughkeepsie, NYPublicAssociate's | 28 | 30% | — | — |
| 33 | Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, NJPublicBachelor's | 27 | 70% | — | — |
| 34 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NMPublicBachelor's | 27 | 55% | — | $18,470 |
| 35 | Middlesex College Edison, NJPublicAssociate's | 26 | 33% | — | — |
| 36 | Snow College Ephraim, UTPublicAssociate's | 25 | 46% | — | — |
| 37 | CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College New York, NYPublicAssociate's | 23 | 25% | — | $9,376 |
| 38 | The University of Tennessee - Martin Martin, TNPublicBachelor's | 23 | 53% | — | $25,660 |
| 39 | University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NMPublicBachelor's | 22 | 55% | — | $25,286 |
| 40 | Long Beach City College Long Beach, CAPublicAssociate's | 21 | 30% | — | — |
| 41 | Saint Mary's College of California Moraga, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 21 | 70% | $25,578 | — |
| 42 | Delta State University Cleveland, MSPublicBachelor's | 21 | 48% | — | $24,839 |
| 43 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MSPublicBachelor's | 21 | 49% | — | — |
| 44 | Longwood University Farmville, VAPublicBachelor's | 21 | 61% | — | $34,812 |
| 45 | Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 20 | 62% | $20,686 | — |
| 46 | Bakersfield College Bakersfield, CAPublicAssociate's | 20 | 21% | — | — |
| 47 | University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 59% | — | $28,226 |
| 48 | East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania East Stroudsburg, PAPublicBachelor's | 19 | 43% | — | $22,349 |
| 49 | Stockton University Galloway, NJPublicBachelor's | 18 | 69% | — | $20,705 |
| 50 | Warren Wilson College Swannanoa, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 18 | 42% | $22,259 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Visual and Performing Arts field (CIP 50.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 41 states
Where Visual and Performing Arts graduates come from. Each state links to all Visual and Performing Arts programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-4021, Photographers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Visual and Performing Arts program can pursue careers as photographers, art teachers, fine artists, and craft artists. With an annual job opening of 12,700 positions and a median wage of $42,520, the field is expected to see little or no change in growth at 1.8%. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.0101
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Photographersprimary SOC 27-4021 | $44,660 | +1.8% Little or no change | ~12,700 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1121 | $78,620 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~9,000 | Master's degree |
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators SOC 27-1013 | $55,490 | -1.2% Decline | ~2,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Artists and Related Workers, All Other SOC 27-1019 | $71,240 | +0.8% Little or no change | ~1,200 | No formal educational credential |
Craft Artists SOC 27-1012 | $46,080 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~1,000 | No formal educational credential |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Visual and Performing Arts programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus according to a combination of factors, such as lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.
- Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.
- Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.
- Transfer photographs to computers for editing, archiving, and electronic transmission.
- Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment, such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.
- Manipulate and enhance scanned or digital images to create desired effects, using computers and specialized software.
Tools and technology used
Other Visual and Performing Arts specializations
The 1 other 6-digit CIP codes under Visual and Performing Arts (CIP 50.01).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree, or an Award of less than 12 weeks.
How many colleges offer this program?+
There are 270 colleges in the U.S. that offer the Visual and Performing Arts program.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and writing.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a photographer, art teacher, fine artist, or craft artist, among other roles.
What is the CIP code for Visual and Performing Arts?+
Visual and Performing Arts is CIP 50.0101 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Visual and Performing Arts (CIP 50.01). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Visual and Performing Arts programs?+
270 U.S. institutions reported Visual and Performing Arts graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 41 states, awarding 3,397 credentials in the year. That is 44.0% of all Visual and Performing Arts graduates.
How much do Visual and Performing Arts graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Photographers occupation, which Visual and Performing Arts most directly leads to, pays a median of $44,660 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Visual and Performing Arts field report median earnings of $24,752 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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