by our College Data Analytics TeamVisual & Performing Arts was the 221st most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 3,130 degrees in this year alone. This 207 less than the prior year, a decrease of 6.6%.
This year's Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools ranking compares 74 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of visual arts programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in visual and performing arts is talking to others to convey information effectively. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem solving and decision making are all required skills for careers related to this major.
visual and performing arts degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific visual arts careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are various different levels of visual arts degrees. You can get anything from a in visual and performing arts to the highest visual arts degree, a . The type of visual arts degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to visual arts, with approximately 22.3% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for visual arts workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 22.3% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 19.7% |
| High School Diploma | 13.5% |
| Doctoral Degree | 13.4% |
| Some College Courses | 12.3% |
About 51.8% of workers in careers related to visual arts obtain at least associate degrees. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in visual and performing arts careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the visual arts career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your visual arts degree? Visual & Performing Arts careers are expected to grow 3.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to visual and performing arts.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Photographers | 139,000 | -5.6% |
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | 137,200 | 12.0% |
| Fine Artists | 29,900 | 6.8% |
| Artists | 13,500 | 5.5% |
| Craft Artists | 13,100 | 4.8% |
As you might expect, salaries for visual arts graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for visual and performing arts graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers visual arts grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | $82,560 |
| Artists | $67,700 |
| Fine Artists | $58,370 |
| Photographers | $42,770 |
| Craft Artists | $40,490 |
With over 411 different visual arts degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased visual arts school rankings to help you with this.
Visual & Performing Arts is one of 1 different types of General Visual & Performing Arts programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Digital Arts | 3,225 |
Image Credit: By Sven Mandel / CC-BY-SA-4.0 under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
