WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+8% vs national median104 grads tracked

Visual and Performing Arts at University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Ranked 4th of 35 doctoral (research) programs in Visual and Performing Arts by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$60,118
middle 50%: $42,800 – $70,870
Median · 5 years out
$73,728
middle 50%: $59,848 – $82,300
Median · 10 years out
$96,791
middle 50%: $76,330 – $116,180

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 North Carolina - Chapel Hill's doctoral (research) program in Visual and Performing Arts earn a median $60,118 one year after graduating, rising to $96,791 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 8% above the national median of $68,571 for this field, ranking 4th 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
5.3 yrs
≈ $5,803 total interest

Same major at other universities

Ohio University
$78,529 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Graduate School & University Center
$78,398 · 5 yrs out
University of Oklahoma
$75,158 · 5 yrs out
University of Northern Colorado
$73,365 · 5 yrs out
University of Cincinnati
$72,871 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Bloomington
$71,136 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Commonwealth University
$71,115 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$214,723 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$192,150 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$178,780 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$167,515 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$151,181 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$150,648 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's)
$147,757 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$140,602 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$127,840 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$125,175 · 5 yrs out
Journalism (Bachelor's)
$124,373 · 5 yrs out
Library Science (Doctorate)
$121,393 · 5 yrs out

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