Doctoral (Research)-3% vs national median262 grads tracked
Visual and Performing Arts at University of Wisconsin - Madison
Ranked 23rd of 35 doctoral (research) programs in Visual and Performing Arts by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$48,130
middle 50%: $30,046 – $64,005
Median · 5 years out
$66,646
middle 50%: $50,849 – $81,443
Median · 10 years out
$73,392
middle 50%: $54,191 – $89,748
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
Research doctorate graduates in Visual and Performing Arts earn $48k in year one. Median salaries reach $73k after ten years of professional work.
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
6.3 yrs
≈ $7,052 total interest
Same major at other universities
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 South Carolina - Columbia
$66,779 · 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
University of Alabama
$62,818 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at University of Wisconsin - Madison
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$227,440 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$191,060 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$179,858 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$176,530 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$153,901 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$153,036 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's)
$140,310 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$139,926 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$134,767 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$133,218 · 5 yrs out
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's)
$127,595 · 5 yrs out