Bachelor's-3% vs national median2,290 grads tracked
Visual and Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University
Ranked 157th of 376 bachelor's programs in Visual and Performing Arts by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$33,062
middle 50%: $23,675 – $44,585
Median · 5 years out
$47,181
middle 50%: $33,661 – $62,763
Median · 10 years out
$59,183
middle 50%: $42,508 – $80,382
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Visual and Performing Arts (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Visual and Performing Arts graduates see a median first-year salary of $33k. After a decade, earnings reach $59k.
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
8.9 yrs
≈ $10,646 total interest
Same major at other universities
Northern Arizona University
$47,430 · 5 yrs out
Angelo State University
$47,374 · 5 yrs out
Bemidji State University
$47,329 · 5 yrs out
Portland State University
$47,292 · 5 yrs out
Salem State University
$47,253 · 5 yrs out
University of Lynchburg
$47,195 · 5 yrs out
College of Saint Benedict
$47,059 · 5 yrs out
Truman State University
$47,013 · 5 yrs out
Western Connecticut State University
$47,011 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston - Downtown
$46,994 · 5 yrs out
University of Louisiana at Monroe
$46,982 · 5 yrs out
Elmhurst University
$46,978 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Northern Illinois University
Education (Doctorate)
$119,874 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$115,599 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$111,551 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$111,291 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$109,443 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$102,156 · 5 yrs out
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,392 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$97,297 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Master's)
$95,329 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,041 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$93,400 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$92,787 · 5 yrs out