WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-3% vs national median171 grads tracked

Visual and Performing Arts at University of South Carolina - Columbia

Ranked 22nd of 35 doctoral (research) programs in Visual and Performing Arts by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$54,051
middle 50%: $36,972 – $72,856
Median · 5 years out
$66,779
middle 50%: $53,407 – $75,934
Median · 10 years out
$73,728
middle 50%: $59,353 – $91,460

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 University of South Carolina - Columbia's doctoral (research) program in Visual and Performing Arts earn a median $54,051 one year after graduating, rising to $73,728 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 3% below the national median of $68,571 for this field, ranking 22nd 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
6 yrs
≈ $6,539 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of North Texas
$68,571 · 5 yrs out
Ohio State University (The)
$68,495 · 5 yrs out
Texas Tech University
$68,424 · 5 yrs out
University of Virginia
$68,098 · 5 yrs out
University of Iowa
$67,520 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$67,343 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$66,646 · 5 yrs out
West Virginia University
$65,353 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$64,560 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston
$64,005 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$63,832 · 5 yrs out
University of Utah
$63,610 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of South Carolina - Columbia

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$176,841 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$168,157 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$153,126 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$150,876 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$129,928 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's)
$122,810 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$115,242 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$114,563 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Doctorate)
$102,325 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$100,689 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$100,245 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$99,491 · 5 yrs out

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