WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-3% vs national median2,463 grads tracked

Visual and Performing Arts at Portland State University

Ranked 154th of 376 bachelor's programs in Visual and Performing Arts by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$32,794
middle 50%: $23,842 – $44,416
Median · 5 years out
$47,292
middle 50%: $33,538 – $66,413
Median · 10 years out
$60,775
middle 50%: $41,987 – $84,019

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 Portland State University's bachelor's program in Visual and Performing Arts earn a median $32,794 one year after graduating, rising to $60,775 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 3% below the national median of $48,719 for this field, ranking 154th 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
8.8 yrs
≈ $10,640 total interest

Same major at other universities

State University of New York at New Paltz
$47,530 · 5 yrs out
Bowling Green State University
$47,500 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Platteville
$47,468 · 5 yrs out
Northern Arizona University
$47,430 · 5 yrs out
Angelo State University
$47,374 · 5 yrs out
Bemidji State University
$47,329 · 5 yrs out
Salem State University
$47,253 · 5 yrs out
University of Lynchburg
$47,195 · 5 yrs out
Northern Illinois University
$47,181 · 5 yrs out
College of Saint Benedict
$47,059 · 5 yrs out
Truman State University
$47,013 · 5 yrs out
Western Connecticut State University
$47,011 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Portland State University

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$189,860 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$158,313 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$130,437 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$126,846 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$123,233 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$122,667 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Doctorate)
$120,677 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$116,662 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$115,474 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$115,147 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$110,977 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$105,672 · 5 yrs out

Related fields of study

Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management
Compare universities
Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry
Compare universities
Dance
Compare universities
Design and Applied Arts
Compare universities
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Compare universities
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
Compare universities