WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+6% vs national median38 grads tracked

Visual and Performing Arts at Pennsylvania State University (The)

Ranked 7th of 35 doctoral (research) programs in Visual and Performing Arts by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$62,818
middle 50%: $47,802 – $87,772
Median · 5 years out
$72,585
middle 50%: $54,757 – $91,284
Median · 10 years out
n/a
not enough graduates to report

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 Pennsylvania State University (The)'s doctoral (research) program in Visual and Performing Arts earn a median $62,818 one year after graduating, rising to $72,585 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 6% above the national median of $68,571 for this field, ranking 7th 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
5.3 yrs
≈ $5,657 total interest

Same major at other universities

Ohio University
$78,529 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Graduate School & University Center
$78,398 · 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
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Bloomington
$71,136 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Commonwealth University
$71,115 · 5 yrs out
Arizona State University
$70,108 · 5 yrs out
University of Michigan
$69,710 · 5 yrs out
University of Arizona (The)
$69,441 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Pennsylvania State University (The)

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$182,178 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$177,057 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$143,044 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$135,252 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$130,869 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$122,394 · 5 yrs out
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's)
$116,440 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$115,495 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's)
$115,004 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$114,831 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$114,734 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$114,727 · 5 yrs out

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