WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-5% vs national median74 grads tracked

Visual and Performing Arts at West Virginia University

Ranked 24th of 35 doctoral (research) programs in Visual and Performing Arts by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$54,993
middle 50%: $32,272 – $68,702
Median · 5 years out
$65,353
middle 50%: $47,119 – $86,367
Median · 10 years out
$73,728
middle 50%: $56,877 – $107,201

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 West Virginia University's doctoral (research) program in Visual and Performing Arts earn a median $54,993 one year after graduating, rising to $73,728 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 5% below the national median of $68,571 for this field, ranking 24th 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
≈ $6,529 total interest

Same major at other universities

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
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$66,646 · 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
University of North Carolina -Greensboro
$62,590 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at West Virginia University

Dentistry (Doctorate)
$165,016 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$156,627 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$152,069 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$150,321 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$128,840 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$122,766 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$117,305 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$113,771 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$112,107 · 5 yrs out
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's)
$111,311 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$109,203 · 5 yrs out

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