Doctoral (Research)-6% vs national median274 grads tracked
Visual and Performing Arts at University of Colorado Boulder
Ranked 25th of 35 doctoral (research) programs in Visual and Performing Arts by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$52,636
middle 50%: $33,861 – $68,203
Median · 5 years out
$64,560
middle 50%: $44,785 – $78,215
Median · 10 years out
$74,144
middle 50%: $52,165 – $91,084
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Visual and Performing Arts (doctoral (research)) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Visual arts doctorate graduates earn $53k in their first year. Median earnings reach $65k at year 5 and $74k at year 10.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
6.2 yrs
≈ $6,767 total interest
Same major at other universities
Texas Tech University
$68,424 · 5 yrs out
University of Virginia
$68,098 · 5 yrs out
University of Iowa
$67,520 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$67,343 · 5 yrs out
University of South Carolina - Columbia
$66,779 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$66,646 · 5 yrs out
West Virginia University
$65,353 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston
$64,005 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$63,832 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama
$62,818 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina -Greensboro
$62,590 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Kansas City
$62,224 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at University of Colorado Boulder
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$179,121 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$162,413 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$136,557 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$134,060 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$121,503 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$121,397 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$118,475 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$115,546 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$112,642 · 5 yrs out
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering (Bachelor's)
$111,066 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$104,453 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$104,453 · 5 yrs out