General
Art History And Criticism
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Art History And Criticism.
Entry Level Salary
$33,765
Median Salary
$70,793
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
28.0%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,831,720
Entry (Early)
$33,765
Median (Prime)
$70,793
High (Prime)
$71,000
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-152k
+169k
+170k
$25k / yr
-242k
+79k
+80k
$50k / yr
-332k
-11k
-10k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
29
29
$25k / yr
Never
40
39
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-222%
72%
74%
$50k / yr
-153%
-5%
-4%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate41.6%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Management occupations
4.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$61,434
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$86,424|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Archivists, curators, and museum technicians
3.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$36,444
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$65,000|$57,100
openings
4,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.6%
Postsecondary teachers
3.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$18,908
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$65,279|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Elementary and middle school teachers
3.7% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$52,063
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$56,045|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Lawyers, judges, and related workers
2.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$90,040
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$150,000|$144,040
openings
34,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4%
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$12,155
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$46,856|$47,320
openings
125,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5%
Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$38,830
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$39,568|$46,290
openings
202,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Artists and related workers
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$25,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$50,000|$99,060
openings
21,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.7%
Education and childcare administrators
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$30,500
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$73,158|$100,650
openings
45,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%
Top executives
1.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$31,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$140,000|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| No program variants found for this major. | |||