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.
College Factual analyzed 23 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 Northern Virginia Community College this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Annandale. General Visual Performing Arts graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of about $37,970 a year early in their careers.
University Of Central Florida came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general visual performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a public institution. Early-career general visual performing arts graduates from University Of Central Florida make a median of around $68,613 per year.
George Mason University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general visual performing arts, landing the #3 spot this year. George Mason University is a public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. General Visual Performing Arts graduates of George Mason University earn a median of about $52,669 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Longwood University earned it the #4 place for general visual performing arts. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a public institution. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from Longwood University typically earn about $45,564 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in general visual performing arts will find them at Kennesaw State University, which ranked #5. 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.
Stetson University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for general visual performing arts. Stetson University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of DeLand. General Visual Performing Arts graduates of Stetson University earn a median of about $44,802 a year early in their careers.
Mississippi State University landed the #7 spot for general visual performing arts salaries this year. Mississippi State University is a public school located in the town of Mississippi State. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from Mississippi State University typically earn about $46,246 annually.
Savannah State University landed the #8 spot for general visual performing arts salaries this year. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a public institution. General Visual Performing Arts graduates of Savannah State University earn a median of about $32,780 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville came in at #9 for general visual performing arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a public institution. Students who complete the general visual performing arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,049.
University Of Mary Washington ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general visual performing arts schools. University Of Mary Washington is a public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington typically earn about $33,915 annually.
University Of Florida placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for general visual performing arts. University Of Florida is a public school located in the city of Gainesville. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from University Of Florida typically earn about $30,629 annually.
University Of Florida Online ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general visual performing arts schools. University Of Florida Online is a public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students who complete the general visual performing arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $30,629.
The University Of Tennessee Martin placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for general visual performing arts. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a public school located in the town of Martin. Students who complete the general visual performing arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,646.
Jackson State University earned the #14 position for general visual performing arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a public institution. General Visual Performing Arts graduates of Jackson State University earn a median of about $39,463 a year early in their careers.
Albany State University landed the #15 spot for general visual performing arts salaries this year. Located in the city of Albany, Albany State University is a public institution. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from Albany State University typically earn about $29,798 annually.
Christopher Newport University earned the #16 position for general visual performing arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a public institution. Students who complete the general visual performing arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $36,266.
University Of Kentucky came in at #17 for general visual performing arts graduate earnings this year. University Of Kentucky is a public school located in the city of Lexington. Students who complete the general visual performing arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $26,343.
Tusculum College placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for general visual performing arts. Tusculum College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greeneville. Students who complete the general visual performing arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $25,866.
Delta State University came in at #19 for general visual performing arts graduate earnings this year. Delta State University is a public school located in the town of Cleveland. General Visual Performing Arts graduates of Delta State University earn a median of about $24,839 a year early in their careers.
Full Sail University placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for general visual performing arts. Set in the suburb of Winter Park, Full Sail University is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from Full Sail University typically earn about $23,101 annually.
Regent University came in at #21 for general visual performing arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from Regent University typically earn about $36,357 annually.
Lagrange College placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for general visual performing arts. Located in the town of Lagrange, Lagrange College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from Lagrange College typically earn about $21,824 annually.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #23 for general visual performing arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a public institution. Students who complete the general visual performing arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $16,871.
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 · 23 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.