Doctoral (Research)+1% vs national median555 grads tracked
Visual and Performing Arts at University of Texas at Austin
Ranked 14th of 35 doctoral (research) programs in Visual and Performing Arts by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$58,202
middle 50%: $38,345 – $74,797
Median · 5 years out
$69,096
middle 50%: $55,207 – $83,388
Median · 10 years out
$77,306
middle 50%: $57,341 – $96,860
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
UT Austin doctoral researchers in the arts earn a median of $58k immediately. Salaries reach $77k after ten years in the workforce.
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
5.7 yrs
≈ $6,111 total interest
Same major at other universities
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
University of Georgia
$68,838 · 5 yrs out
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
Other majors at University of Texas at Austin
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$215,480 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$206,592 · 5 yrs out
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's)
$182,751 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$179,117 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$179,117 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$173,536 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$167,891 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$164,408 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$160,721 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$159,387 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$156,021 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$147,611 · 5 yrs out