WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+14% vs national median483 grads tracked

Visual and Performing Arts at CUNY Graduate School & University Center

Ranked 2nd of 35 doctoral (research) programs in Visual and Performing Arts by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$63,346
middle 50%: $41,154 – $82,284
Median · 5 years out
$78,398
middle 50%: $57,265 – $101,769
Median · 10 years out
$89,605
middle 50%: $63,082 – $111,042

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 CUNY Graduate School & University Center's doctoral (research) program in Visual and Performing Arts earn a median $63,346 one year after graduating, rising to $89,605 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 14% above the national median of $68,571 for this field, ranking 2nd 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 yrs
≈ $5,451 total interest

Same major at other universities

Ohio University
$78,529 · 5 yrs out
University of Oklahoma
$75,158 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
$73,728 · 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

Other majors at CUNY Graduate School & University Center

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$161,330 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$157,560 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$125,550 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$124,801 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$123,601 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's)
$120,424 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$117,305 · 5 yrs out
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's)
$117,305 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Bachelor's)
$113,216 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Doctorate)
$112,807 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Doctorate)
$110,405 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$109,693 · 5 yrs out

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