WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-10% vs national median1,049 grads tracked

Visual and Performing Arts at Western Carolina University

Ranked 244th of 376 bachelor's programs in Visual and Performing Arts by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$32,621
middle 50%: $23,662 – $43,541
Median · 5 years out
$44,039
middle 50%: $32,324 – $53,925
Median · 10 years out
$51,537
middle 50%: $35,704 – $67,696

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Visual and Performing Arts (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Western Carolina University's bachelor's program in Visual and Performing Arts earn a median $32,621 one year after graduating, rising to $51,537 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 10% below the national median of $48,719 for this field, ranking 244th of 376 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
9.7 yrs
≈ $11,391 total interest

Same major at other universities

Hamline University
$44,276 · 5 yrs out
Cameron University
$44,249 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina at Wilmington (The)
$44,229 · 5 yrs out
Concordia College - Moorhead
$44,102 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina -Greensboro
$44,081 · 5 yrs out
Berry College
$44,043 · 5 yrs out
University of North Georgia
$44,024 · 5 yrs out
Colorado Mesa University
$44,022 · 5 yrs out
Millikin University
$43,974 · 5 yrs out
Augsburg University
$43,934 · 5 yrs out
Coastal Carolina University
$43,868 · 5 yrs out
University of Akron (The)
$43,834 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Western Carolina University

Education (Doctorate)
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$95,724 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$88,779 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$86,622 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$86,216 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$85,927 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$85,430 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$84,494 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$81,907 · 5 yrs out

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