by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Visual Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying general visual performing arts schools.
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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 Long Island University C W Post Campus this year. Located in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. General Visual Performing Arts graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of about $40,407 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Siena College one of the highest-paying schools for general visual performing arts. Set in the suburb of Loudonville, Siena College is a private not-for-profit institution. General Visual Performing Arts graduates of Siena College earn a median of about $34,017 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Suny College At Oneonta earned it the #3 place for general visual performing arts. Set in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a public institution. Students who complete the general visual performing arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,984.
Students chasing top earnings in general visual performing arts will find them at Dutchess Community College, which ranked #4. Dutchess Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Early-career general visual performing arts graduates from Dutchess Community College make a median of around $26,147 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Suffolk County Community College earned it the #5 place for general visual performing arts. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a public institution. General Visual Performing Arts graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of about $29,196 a year early in their careers.
State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #6 for general visual performing arts graduate earnings this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a public school located in the town of New Paltz. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz typically earn about $36,940 annually.
Cuny Bronx Community College earned the #7 position for general visual performing arts graduate earnings this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a public school located in the city of Bronx. General Visual Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of about $25,456 a year early in their careers.
Suny At Purchase College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general visual performing arts schools. Suny At Purchase College is a public school located in the suburb of Purchase. Students who complete the general visual performing arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $22,024.
Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general visual performing arts schools. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the general visual performing arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $20,816.
The College Of Westchester placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for general visual performing arts. The College Of Westchester is a private for-profit school located in the city of White Plains. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from The College Of Westchester typically earn about $20,163 annually.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #11 for general visual performing arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a public institution. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College typically earn about $9,376 annually.
This list is compiled 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 · 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.