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 8 schools on the early-career earnings of their general visual performing arts graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send general visual performing arts graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in general visual performing arts, no school beat University Of Southern California this year. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Early-career general visual performing arts graduates from University Of Southern California make a median of around $55,678 per year.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California San Diego one of the highest-paying schools for general visual performing arts. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Early-career general visual performing arts graduates from University Of California San Diego make a median of around $46,800 per year.
California State University Channel Islands produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general visual performing arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set 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.
Strong graduate earnings at Otis College Of Art And Design earned it the #4 place for general visual performing arts. Located 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.
A rank of #5 makes Azusa Pacific University one of the highest-paying schools for general visual performing arts. 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.
Victor Valley College came in at #6 for general visual performing arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a public institution. General Visual Performing Arts graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of about $32,356 a year early in their careers.
California State University San Marcos came in at #7 for general visual performing arts graduate earnings this year. California State University San Marcos is a public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. 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 #8 among the highest-paying schools for general visual performing arts. Set in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a private for-profit institution. General Visual Performing Arts graduates of Academy Of Art University earn a median of about $39,532 a year early in their careers.
The ranking above is published 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 · 8 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.