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 highest-paying schools turn a general visual performing arts degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the early-career earnings of their general visual performing arts graduates.
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Below are the schools whose general visual performing arts graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in general visual performing arts, no school beat University Of Southern California this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. General Visual Performing Arts graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of about $55,678 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at California State University Channel Islands earned it the #2 place for general visual performing arts. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a public institution. Early-career general visual performing arts graduates from California State University Channel Islands make a median of around $44,140 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in general visual performing arts will find them at Otis College Of Art And Design, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Otis College Of Art And Design 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 $72,325.
Students chasing top earnings in general visual performing arts will find them at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #4. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Students who complete the general visual performing arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,253.
Azusa Pacific University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general visual performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University typically earn about $40,203 annually.
Oregon State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general visual performing arts schools. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a public institution. General Visual Performing Arts graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of about $36,748 a year early in their careers.
Victor Valley College earned the #7 position for general visual performing arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a public institution. Early-career general visual performing arts graduates from Victor Valley College make a median of around $32,356 per year.
California State University San Marcos placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for general visual performing arts. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a public institution. General Visual Performing Arts graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $41,204 a year early in their careers.
Academy Of Art University placed #9 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. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from Academy Of Art University typically earn about $39,532 annually.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #10 spot for general visual performing arts salaries this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a public institution. Students who complete the general visual performing arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $22,247.
Pacific Northwest College Of Art ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general visual performing arts schools. Pacific Northwest College Of Art is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. General Visual Performing Arts graduates of Pacific Northwest College Of Art earn a median of about $13,895 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their general visual performing arts graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 11 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.