Best Schools for Visual and Performing Arts, General

Visual and Performing Arts, General graduates earn a median of $26,303 within two years of graduation, ranking #262 out of 292 tracked majors — 26% below the median across all fields. There are 67 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 1,724 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: University of Florida graduates earn $48,041 while Escuela de Artes Plasticas y Diseno de Puerto Rico graduates earn $8,462 — a $39,579 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap.

Early career salary growth is moderate: Visual and Performing Arts, General graduates see an average 11% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

67
Schools
$26,303
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#262
of 292 Majors
1,724
Graduates

Public vs Private: Visual and Performing Arts, General

Public (43 schools)
$24,992
avg. 2yr earnings
Private (16 schools)
$28,019
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $3,027 more in early earnings on average for Visual and Performing Arts, General graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Visual and Performing Arts, General by State

Top Visual and Performing Arts, General Schools by Graduate Earnings

#1
U

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL · Public

$48,041
2yr Earnings
1yr: $30,849
Grads: 58
Acceptance: 24.0%
#2
O

Otis College of Art and Design

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$38,289
2yr Earnings
1yr: $36,531
Grads: 91
Acceptance: 84.0%
#3
R

Rice University

Houston, TX · Private

$38,289
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 7.9%
#4
U

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Milwaukee, WI · Public

$38,289
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 88.4%
#5
G

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA · Public

$37,980
2yr Earnings
1yr: $26,808
Grads: 113
Acceptance: 88.8%
#6
U

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$36,674
2yr Earnings
1yr: $18,394
Grads: 24
Acceptance: 10.0%
#7
E

Empire State University

Saratoga Springs, NY ·

$36,141
2yr Earnings
1yr: $26,650
Grads: 38
Acceptance: N/A
#8
A

Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Tempe, AZ · Public

$34,187
2yr Earnings
1yr: $27,181
Grads: 90
Acceptance: 90.2%
#9
W

Worcester State University

Worcester, MA · Public

$32,925
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 89.9%
#10
K

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, GA · Public

$32,925
2yr Earnings
1yr: $23,974
Grads: 34
Acceptance: 69.2%
#11
L

Long Island University

Brookville, NY · Private

$32,382
2yr Earnings
1yr: $21,535
Grads: 19
Acceptance: 89.8%
#12
M

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, MS · Public

$31,133
2yr Earnings
1yr: $25,314
Grads: 56
Acceptance: 76.3%
#13
F

Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus

Teaneck, NJ · Private

$30,771
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 95.9%
#14
F

Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus

Madison, NJ · Private

$30,771
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 95.3%
#15
R

Rasmussen University-Florida

Ocala, FL ·

$30,228
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#16
R

Rasmussen University-Minnesota

St. Cloud, MN ·

$30,228
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#17
R

Rasmussen University-North Dakota

Fargo, ND ·

$30,228
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#18
R

Rasmussen University-Wisconsin

Green Bay, WI ·

$30,228
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#19
R

Rasmussen University-Kansas

Topeka, KS ·

$30,228
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#20
B

Boston University

Boston, MA · Private

$29,685
2yr Earnings
1yr: $28,215
Grads: 22
Acceptance: 10.8%
#21
U

University of Houston-Downtown

Houston, TX · Public

$29,685
2yr Earnings
1yr: $21,332
Grads: 26
Acceptance: 90.6%
#22
L

Longwood University

Farmville, VA · Public

$28,598
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 84.8%
#23
U

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Whitewater, WI · Public

$28,443
2yr Earnings
1yr: $28,110
Grads: 62
Acceptance: 82.8%
#24
T

The University of Texas at Dallas

Richardson, TX · Public

$27,874
2yr Earnings
1yr: $30,784
Grads: 44
Acceptance: 65.5%
#25
U

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA · Private

$27,823
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 50.8%
#26
L

Louisiana State University-Shreveport

Shreveport, LA · Public

$27,669
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 82.7%
#27
S

SUNY Oneonta

Oneonta, NY · Public

$27,440
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,019
Grads: 44
Acceptance: 70.2%
#28
A

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, CA ·

$26,896
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,153
Grads: 35
Acceptance: N/A
#29
S

Stetson University

DeLand, FL · Private

$26,896
2yr Earnings
1yr: $23,950
Grads: 28
Acceptance: 86.4%
#30
B

Bethany Lutheran College

Mankato, MN · Private

$26,353
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 51.0%
#31
W

Whitman College

Walla Walla, WA · Private

$26,353
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 50.0%
#32
S

State University of New York at New Paltz

New Paltz, NY · Public

$26,121
2yr Earnings
1yr: $28,650
Grads: 32
Acceptance: 58.7%
#33
C

Champlain College

Burlington, VT · Private

$25,774
2yr Earnings
1yr: $21,457
Grads: 61
Acceptance: 66.7%
#34
U

University of North Carolina Asheville

Asheville, NC · Public

$25,596
2yr Earnings
1yr: $19,487
Grads: 59
Acceptance: 93.9%
#35
G

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ · For-Profit

$25,194
2yr Earnings
1yr: $28,672
Grads: 54
Acceptance: 60.4%
#36
M

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

North Adams, MA · Public

$25,194
2yr Earnings
1yr: $20,169
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 92.3%
#37
R

Rogers State University

Claremore, OK · Public

$25,194
2yr Earnings
1yr: $25,785
Grads: 21
Acceptance: N/A
#38
T

The University of Tennessee-Martin

Martin, TN · Public

$25,194
2yr Earnings
1yr: $27,782
Grads: 36
Acceptance: 87.3%
#39
C

California State University-Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA · Public

$25,194
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 93.1%
#40
S

Salem State University

Salem, MA · Public

$23,649
2yr Earnings
1yr: $26,296
Grads: 39
Acceptance: 95.6%
#41
S

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, MO · Public

$23,649
2yr Earnings
1yr: $21,440
Grads: 29
Acceptance: 78.5%
#42
J

Jackson State University

Jackson, MS · Public

$22,989
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 91.0%
#43
S

Stockton University

Galloway, NJ · Public

$22,917
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 88.2%
#44
C

California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public

$22,917
2yr Earnings
1yr: $25,472
Grads: 49
Acceptance: 95.7%
#45
U

University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, MS · Public

$22,771
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 99.4%
#46
U

University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, VA · Public

$22,578
2yr Earnings
1yr: $25,191
Grads: 22
Acceptance: 86.3%
#47
C

Christopher Newport University

Newport News, VA · Public

$22,534
2yr Earnings
1yr: $19,983
Grads: 49
Acceptance: 88.0%
#48
A

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, CA · Private

$22,455
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 79.5%
#49
V

Virginia State University

Petersburg, VA · Public

$21,964
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 89.1%
#50
T

Temple University

Philadelphia, PA · Public

$21,703
2yr Earnings
1yr: $21,796
Grads: 33
Acceptance: 82.9%

Showing top 50 of 67 schools. View all or filter by state above.

Majors with Similar Earnings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Visual and Performing Arts, General?
University of Florida ranks #1 for Visual and Performing Arts, General with median graduate earnings of $48,041 within two years. There are 67 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.
How much do Visual and Performing Arts, General graduates earn?
Visual and Performing Arts, General graduates earn an average of $26,303 within two years of graduation. This is 26% below the median across all majors. Earnings range from $8,462 to $48,041 depending on the school.
How hard is it to get into a top Visual and Performing Arts, General program?
The average acceptance rate across Visual and Performing Arts, General programs is 75.3%. The most selective program is at Rice University with a 7.9% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.
Is a public or private school better for Visual and Performing Arts, General?
Private Visual and Performing Arts, General programs average $28,019 in early earnings vs $24,992 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders.

Get Visual and Performing Arts, General Career Insights

We're building major-specific salary reports with ROI by school. Be the first to get yours.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.