WhatGradsMake
Certificate (1-2 years)+9% vs national median85 grads tracked

Visual and Performing Arts at College Of DuPage

Ranked 10th of 31 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Visual and Performing Arts by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$31,905
middle 50%: $21,719 – $54,333
Median · 5 years out
$46,298
middle 50%: $36,215 – $58,363
Median · 10 years out
$57,867
middle 50%: $42,371 – $73,565

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Visual and Performing Arts (certificate (1-2 years)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of College Of DuPage's certificate (1-2 years) program in Visual and Performing Arts earn a median $31,905 one year after graduating, rising to $57,867 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 9% above the national median of $42,570 for this field, ranking 10th of 31 reporting programs.

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
9.1 yrs
≈ $10,979 total interest

Same major at other universities

Arapahoe Community College
$54,993 · 5 yrs out
Front Range Community College
$54,757 · 5 yrs out
University of Cincinnati
$53,343 · 5 yrs out
SUNY Westchester Community College
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Austin Community College
$50,676 · 5 yrs out
Red Rocks Community College
$48,213 · 5 yrs out
Saint Louis Community College
$45,751 · 5 yrs out
Tunxis Community College
$44,669 · 5 yrs out
South Dakota State University
$44,398 · 5 yrs out
Columbus State Community College
$43,820 · 5 yrs out
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
$42,570 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana - Region 2
$38,967 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at College Of DuPage

Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$105,399 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$105,399 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Associate)
$96,190 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Certificate)
$90,582 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Associate)
$87,221 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Associate)
$86,855 · 5 yrs out
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection (Associate)
$86,086 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$81,833 · 5 yrs out
Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications (Certificate)
$81,462 · 5 yrs out
Geography and Cartography (Certificate)
$80,415 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Associate)
$80,258 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Certificate)
$79,787 · 5 yrs out

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