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. The highest-paying schools turn a general visual performing arts degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find where general visual performing arts graduates earn the most.
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.
Our analysis ranked Northern Virginia Community College the top school for general visual performing arts graduate earnings in Virginia. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a public institution. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College typically earn about $37,970 annually.
A rank of #2 makes George Mason University one of the highest-paying schools for general visual performing arts. 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.
Students chasing top earnings in general visual performing arts will find them at Longwood University, which ranked #3. Longwood University is a public school located in the town of Farmville. Early-career general visual performing arts graduates from Longwood University make a median of around $45,564 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Mary Washington earned it the #4 place for general visual performing arts. 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.
Christopher Newport University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general visual performing arts schools. Christopher Newport University is a public school located in the city of Newport News. After graduating, general visual performing arts degree recipients from Christopher Newport University typically earn about $36,266 annually.
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 · 5 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.