by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you enjoy creating something that allows you to connect to your audience, either through your voice, movement, designs, or images, consider a degree in Visual and Performing Arts.
Students who major in this field have a passion for the arts. They are creative and like to provide an audience with visual, auditory, and kinesthetic stimulation. Classes in topics such as drawing, painting, dance, sculpting, acting, foreign language, graphic design, photography and more allow students to develop and improve their skill in the arts.
You may choose to focus on either general Visual and Performing Arts or concentrate on Digital Arts.Studying General Visual & Performing Arts explores Visual And Performing Arts, General. Continue reading for the essential details every general visual & performing arts major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general visual & performing arts programs.
Nationwide, general visual & performing arts draws strong interest, with 7,225 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools ranking analyzes these 410 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general visual & performing arts students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general visual & performing arts programs later in this article.
Coursework for General Visual & Performing Arts build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general visual & performing arts graduates commonly enter.
Students who pursue a degree in Visual and Performing Arts typically already have a passion and talent for their artistic field. They are creative and provide innovative works or performances that are unique and thought provoking. Interpersonal and communication skills are necessary in this field because you will be required to work with other artists, gallery owners, fellow performers, and the general public. These skills will also help you in selling or marketing your work.
Many artists and other professionals in the performing arts support themselves with additional jobs while they work on their art. Dancers, singers, actors and other types of artistic occupations also vary between full and part time. Those who are lucky enough to become part of a company will work full time often with irregular hours for practices and performances.
Depending on the area you decide to go into, formal schooling may not be necessary. Some people decide to pursue only an associate's degree. However, other areas of specialization require at least a bachelor's degree. It is best to look into the career you want to pursue to ensure you are meeting all requirements.
The skill set developed in a general visual & performing arts program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a general visual & performing arts major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general visual & performing arts degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 105 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,865 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 4,548 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 565 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 17 |
People currently working in careers related to general visual & performing arts tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 33.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 20.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 20.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 7.3% |
| Some college courses | 6.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.0% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general visual & performing arts careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Visual and Performing Arts graduates are employed at in a variety of artistic careers. Graduates have pursued careers as artists, curators, fashion designers, producers, choreographers, musicians, and designers. Some graduates are working for companies, while others have started their own business or are self-employed.
The Visual and Performing Arts field is made up of multiple specializations. This can be a very competitive field, especially for full time positions.
A degree in general visual & performing arts prepares you for numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to general visual & performing arts.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general visual & performing arts.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | 427,793 | 13.9% |
| Craft Artists | 402,867 | 5.7% |
| Graphic Designers | 267,813 | 4.6% |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | 147,527 | -4.1% |
| Art Directors | 105,166 | 1.0% |
| Photographers | 81,551 | -3.6% |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | 40,928 | 6.1% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of general visual & performing arts graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $27,099 |
| 4 years | $37,427 |
| 5 years | $42,359 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general visual & performing arts graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general visual & performing arts grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Art Directors | $103,285 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,610 |
| Craft Artists | $76,826 |
| Photographers | $75,743 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $69,338 |
| Graphic Designers | $66,386 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $57,836 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 410 different general visual & performing arts programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general visual & performing arts school rankings to help you.
Students interested in general visual & performing arts, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Digital Arts | 3,892 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | 3,333 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts | 38,798 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 37,770 |
| Music | 25,853 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 18,927 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 16,640 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 4,430 |
| Dance | 3,274 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other | 941 |
| Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry | 67 |
| Community/Environmental/Socially-Engaged Art | 12 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
