Master's+1% vs national median379 grads tracked
Visual and Performing Arts at University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Ranked 72nd of 142 master's programs in Visual and Performing Arts by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$41,334
middle 50%: $28,152 – $55,974
Median · 5 years out
$56,339
middle 50%: $38,202 – $83,557
Median · 10 years out
$66,262
middle 50%: $47,119 – $90,852
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 earn a median of $41k initially. Earnings reach $56k after five years.
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
7.4 yrs
≈ $8,463 total interest
Same major at other universities
Arizona State University
$57,214 · 5 yrs out
University of Hartford
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
Western Illinois University
$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 Iowa
$55,964 · 5 yrs out
University of North Texas
$55,954 · 5 yrs out
University of South Dakota
$55,836 · 5 yrs out
Texas Tech University
$55,817 · 5 yrs out
East Carolina University
$55,770 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Austin
$55,766 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's)
$54,796 · 5 yrs out
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's)
$50,759 · 5 yrs out
Visual and Performing Arts (Bachelor's)
$49,299 · 5 yrs out
Visual and Performing Arts (Certificate)
$43,271 · 5 yrs out
Visual and Performing Arts, General (Certificate)
$43,271 · 5 yrs out
Music (Bachelor's)
$38,895 · 5 yrs out
Dance (Bachelor's)
$37,897 · 5 yrs out