Master's+5% vs national median679 grads tracked
Visual and Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University
Ranked 59th of 142 master's programs in Visual and Performing Arts by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$44,398
middle 50%: $28,256 – $66,779
Median · 5 years out
$58,433
middle 50%: $38,806 – $80,815
Median · 10 years out
$66,850
middle 50%: $43,848 – $88,770
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Visual and Performing Arts (master's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Master's degree holders in Visual and Performing Arts earn $44k initially. Median earnings reach $67k 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
7 yrs
≈ $7,954 total interest
Same major at other universities
Virginia Commonwealth University
$58,810 · 5 yrs out
SUNY College at Purchase
$58,734 · 5 yrs out
Georgia State University
$58,645 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
$58,609 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Queens College
$58,574 · 5 yrs out
James Madison University
$58,547 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$58,411 · 5 yrs out
Northern Arizona University
$58,363 · 5 yrs out
Youngstown State University
$58,227 · 5 yrs out
Winthrop University
$58,227 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston
$57,760 · 5 yrs out
University of Virginia
$57,248 · 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