Doctoral (Research)-2% vs national median323 grads tracked
Visual and Performing Arts at University of Iowa
Ranked 20th of 35 doctoral (research) programs in Visual and Performing Arts by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$52,737
middle 50%: $33,588 – $69,414
Median · 5 years out
$67,520
middle 50%: $48,487 – $83,758
Median · 10 years out
$78,072
middle 50%: $54,051 – $91,518
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
Research doctorate graduates in Visual and Performing Arts earn a median of $53k in their first year. Salaries climb to $78k by 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 yrs
≈ $6,610 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Texas at Austin
$69,096 · 5 yrs out
University of Georgia
$68,838 · 5 yrs out
University of North Texas
$68,571 · 5 yrs out
Ohio State University (The)
$68,495 · 5 yrs out
Texas Tech University
$68,424 · 5 yrs out
University of Virginia
$68,098 · 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 Colorado Boulder
$64,560 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston
$64,005 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at University of Iowa
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$197,724 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$173,339 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$167,710 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$157,015 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$151,198 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$144,877 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$121,670 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$114,999 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$112,327 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$112,327 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$107,625 · 5 yrs out