WhatGradsMake
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

Graduates of Western Illinois University's master's program in Visual and Performing Arts earn a median $44,206 one year after graduating, rising to $66,474 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% above the national median of $55,817 for this field, ranking 68th of 142 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
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

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