WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-2% vs national median317 grads tracked

Visual and Performing Arts at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Ranked 21st of 35 doctoral (research) programs in Visual and Performing Arts by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$54,757
middle 50%: $34,194 – $70,870
Median · 5 years out
$67,343
middle 50%: $50,311 – $81,500
Median · 10 years out
$77,044
middle 50%: $63,769 – $95,790

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

Graduates of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's doctoral (research) program in Visual and Performing Arts earn a median $54,757 one year after graduating, rising to $77,044 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% below the national median of $68,571 for this field, ranking 21st of 35 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
5.9 yrs
≈ $6,454 total interest

Same major at other universities

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 Iowa
$67,520 · 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
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$63,832 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$226,077 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$206,093 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$177,207 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$176,681 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$173,815 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$164,239 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$159,201 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$152,834 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$151,479 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Doctorate)
$126,011 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$125,106 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$125,106 · 5 yrs out

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