by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 68 U.S. colleges awarded 964 degrees and certificates in Other Visual & Performing Arts. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 60% of graduates. College Factual ranks 19 schools in its 2027 Best Other Visual & Performing Arts Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $28,812 one year after completing, rising to $48,648 after four years.
A major in Other Visual & Performing Arts involves the study of Visual And Performing Arts, Other. Any Instructional Program In Visual And Performing Arts Not Listed Above.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, other visual & performing arts draws strong interest, with 964 degrees awarded annually. 68 colleges award other visual & performing arts degrees, an average of 14 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 325.
By level, the 964 awards include 25 certificates, 84 associate degrees, 580 bachelor’s degrees, 255 master’s degrees and 20 doctorates.
Women earned 64% of other visual & performing arts degrees and certificates in the latest year (620 of 964). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (404) and Hispanic or Latino (137), and international students earned 163.
College Factual ranks 19 schools in its 2027 Best Other Visual & Performing Arts Schools ranking, including 4 for associate degrees, 13 for bachelor’s degrees and 3 for master’s degrees. It also ranks other visual & performing arts schools within 8 states. In all, 68 colleges offer other visual & performing arts programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Other Visual & Performing Arts Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common other visual & performing arts credential is the bachelor’s degree: 580 of the 964 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to other visual & performing arts call most for Speaking, Instructing and Learning Strategies, and for knowledge of Fine Arts, Education and Training and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Expression and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an other visual & performing arts degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 25 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 84 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 580 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 255 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 20 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to other visual & performing arts, at 50.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 50.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 31.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Other Visual & Performing Arts, with an average median salary of $46,983; the strongest outlook belongs to Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, at 9.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Guitar Teacher, Adjunct Music Professor, Theater Professor and Fine Arts Professor.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to other visual & performing arts, at 1,074,154.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
Other Visual & Performing Arts graduates earn a median $28,812 one year after completing their program, $48,648 after four years and $53,876 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,812 |
| 4 years | $48,648 |
| 5 years | $53,876 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to other visual & performing arts, with a median salary of $46,983.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
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