Master's+2% vs national median214 grads tracked
Visual and Performing Arts at Western Illinois University
Ranked 68th of 142 master's programs in Visual and Performing Arts by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$44,206
middle 50%: $29,410 – $62,653
Median · 5 years out
$56,877
middle 50%: $40,131 – $70,057
Median · 10 years out
$66,474
middle 50%: $51,380 – $80,953
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
Visual and Performing Arts master's graduates begin with a median salary of $44k. Earnings reach $66k by the tenth year.
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
7.2 yrs
≈ $8,098 total interest
Same major at other universities
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
Arizona State University
$57,214 · 5 yrs out
University of Hartford
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
University of Saint Thomas
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Buffalo
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Superior
$56,406 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
$56,339 · 5 yrs out
University of Iowa
$55,964 · 5 yrs out
University of North Texas
$55,954 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Western Illinois University
Education (Doctorate)
$163,593 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$107,538 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$98,269 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Master's)
$97,417 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Master's)
$97,160 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,133 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$96,422 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$84,414 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$82,090 · 5 yrs out
Construction Management (Bachelor's)
$82,014 · 5 yrs out
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (Bachelor's)
$81,320 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$80,729 · 5 yrs out