WhatGradsMake
Master's-15% vs national median263 grads tracked

Visual and Performing Arts at Portland State University

Ranked 137th of 142 master's programs in Visual and Performing Arts by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$36,950
middle 50%: $25,145 – $53,873
Median · 5 years out
$47,574
middle 50%: $29,862 – $70,755
Median · 10 years out
$60,342
middle 50%: $34,408 – $90,406

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

Graduates of Portland State University's master's program in Visual and Performing Arts earn a median $36,950 one year after graduating, rising to $60,342 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 15% below the national median of $55,817 for this field, ranking 137th of 142 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
8.6 yrs
≈ $10,002 total interest

Same major at other universities

Miami University
$49,308 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
$49,233 · 5 yrs out
University of Northern Iowa
$49,095 · 5 yrs out
Appalachian State University
$48,829 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$48,276 · 5 yrs out
University of Central Oklahoma
$48,144 · 5 yrs out
University of Toledo
$47,119 · 5 yrs out
Western Connecticut State University
$46,663 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Kansas City
$46,186 · 5 yrs out
Western Carolina University
$45,210 · 5 yrs out
Mary Baldwin University
$38,967 · 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

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