by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Visual Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their general visual performing arts graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 63 schools to find where general visual performing arts graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose general visual performing arts graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is University Of Southern California, our #1 for general visual performing arts graduate salaries in the United States. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from University Of Southern California typically earn about $55,678 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Drexel University earned it the #2 place for general visual performing arts. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general visual performing arts graduates from Drexel University make a median of around $51,248 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of California San Diego earned it the #3 place for general visual performing arts. University Of California San Diego is a public school located in the city of La Jolla. Early-career general visual performing arts graduates from University Of California San Diego make a median of around $46,800 per year.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Central Florida one of the highest-paying schools for general visual performing arts. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a public institution. Students who complete the general visual performing arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,613.
California State University Channel Islands produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general visual performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a public institution. General Visual Performing Arts graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of about $44,140 a year early in their careers.
Otis College Of Art And Design earned the #6 position for general visual performing arts graduate earnings this year. Otis College Of Art And Design is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. General Visual Performing Arts graduates of Otis College Of Art And Design earn a median of about $72,325 a year early in their careers.
Long Island University C W Post Campus placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for general visual performing arts. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville. Students who complete the general visual performing arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $40,407.
George Mason University earned the #8 position for general visual performing arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Students who complete the general visual performing arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,669.
Azusa Pacific University came in at #9 for general visual performing arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general visual performing arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $40,203.
Longwood University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for general visual performing arts. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a public institution. Early-career general visual performing arts graduates from Longwood University make a median of around $45,564 per year.
Oregon State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general visual performing arts schools. Oregon State University is a public school located in the city of Corvallis. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from Oregon State University typically earn about $36,748 annually.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #12 spot for general visual performing arts salaries this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public school located in the city of Richardson. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas typically earn about $47,167 annually.
Kennesaw State University earned the #13 position for general visual performing arts graduate earnings this year. Kennesaw State University is a public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from Kennesaw State University typically earn about $48,436 annually.
Champlain College landed the #14 spot for general visual performing arts salaries this year. Located in the city of Burlington, Champlain College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general visual performing arts graduates from Champlain College make a median of around $44,607 per year.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for general visual performing arts. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school located in the city of Austin. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin typically earn about $43,173 annually.
Stetson University placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for general visual performing arts. Located in the city of DeLand, Stetson University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Visual Performing Arts graduates of Stetson University earn a median of about $44,802 a year early in their careers.
Siena College came in at #17 for general visual performing arts graduate earnings this year. Siena College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Loudonville. Students who complete the general visual performing arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $34,017.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general visual performing arts schools. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public institution. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater typically earn about $41,226 annually.
Mississippi State University landed the #19 spot for general visual performing arts salaries this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a public institution. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from Mississippi State University typically earn about $46,246 annually.
California State University San Marcos came in at #20 for general visual performing arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a public institution. Early-career general visual performing arts graduates from California State University San Marcos make a median of around $41,204 per year.
Academy Of Art University placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for general visual performing arts. Academy Of Art University is a private for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Students who complete the general visual performing arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,532.
Savannah State University came in at #22 for general visual performing arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a public institution. Early-career general visual performing arts graduates from Savannah State University make a median of around $32,780 per year.
Arizona State University came in at #23 for general visual performing arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a public institution. Early-career general visual performing arts graduates from Arizona State University make a median of around $47,489 per year.
Arizona State University Skysong ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general visual performing arts schools. Arizona State University Skysong is a public school located in the city of Scottsdale. Students who complete the general visual performing arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,489.
Grand Canyon University placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for general visual performing arts. Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Early-career general visual performing arts graduates from Grand Canyon University make a median of around $43,593 per year.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid general visual performing arts ranking:
Explore the highest-paying general visual performing arts schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries general visual performing arts graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 63 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.