WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+4% vs national median30 grads tracked

Visual and Performing Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University

Ranked 10th of 35 doctoral (research) programs in Visual and Performing Arts by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$56,877
middle 50%: $33,372 – $87,772
Median · 5 years out
$71,115
middle 50%: $45,751 – $99,674
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 Virginia Commonwealth University's doctoral (research) program in Visual and Performing Arts earn a median $56,877 one year after graduating, rising to $71,115 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 4% above the national median of $68,571 for this field, ranking 10th 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
5.6 yrs
≈ $6,134 total interest

Same major at other universities

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
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Bloomington
$71,136 · 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 Texas at Austin
$69,096 · 5 yrs out
University of Georgia
$68,838 · 5 yrs out
University of North Texas
$68,571 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Virginia Commonwealth University

Dentistry (Doctorate)
$175,347 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$157,685 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$154,279 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$152,472 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$131,725 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$130,026 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Doctorate)
$128,182 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$123,259 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$122,217 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Master's)
$105,799 · 5 yrs out
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs (Master's)
$105,500 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$105,054 · 5 yrs out

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