Associate+7% vs national median317 grads tracked
Visual and Performing Arts at Des Moines Area Community College
Ranked 36th of 189 associate programs in Visual and Performing Arts by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$34,546
middle 50%: $25,240 – $44,230
Median · 5 years out
$43,216
middle 50%: $34,079 – $54,276
Median · 10 years out
$53,279
middle 50%: $41,326 – $65,534
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Visual and Performing Arts (associate) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Visual and Performing Arts graduates earn a median $35k initially. By year 10, the median salary is $53k.
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
9.5 yrs
≈ $11,150 total interest
Same major at other universities
Piedmont Virginia Community College
$44,737 · 5 yrs out
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology - Okmulgee
$44,249 · 5 yrs out
Nassau Community College
$44,230 · 5 yrs out
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
$44,206 · 5 yrs out
Kilgore College
$43,753 · 5 yrs out
Housatonic Community College
$43,699 · 5 yrs out
Joliet Junior College
$43,047 · 5 yrs out
Houston Community College
$42,934 · 5 yrs out
College Of DuPage
$42,904 · 5 yrs out
Cincinnati State Technical & Community College
$42,897 · 5 yrs out
SUNY College of Technology at Alfred
$42,822 · 5 yrs out
Saint Philip's College
$42,709 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Des Moines Area Community College
Fire Protection (Certificate)
$85,523 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Certificate)
$81,357 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$81,295 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Certificate)
$79,157 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Associate)
$78,843 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Associate)
$73,958 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Certificate)
$72,928 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Certificate)
$71,555 · 5 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Certificate)
$71,212 · 5 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Certificate)
$71,212 · 5 yrs out
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate)
$68,222 · 5 yrs out
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$68,098 · 5 yrs out