College ROI

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General

Miscellaneous Fine Arts

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Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Miscellaneous Fine Arts.

Entry Level Salary
$33,765
Median Salary
$61,903
Unemployment Rate
6.5%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
35.3%
Working non-college jobs

Earnings Trajectory

Lifetime: $2,476,120
Entry (Early)
$33,765
Median (Prime)
$61,903
High (Prime)
$57,269

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
+96k
+58k
$25k / yr
-242k
+6k
-32k
$50k / yr
-332k
-84k
-122k

Break-even Age

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
32
37
$25k / yr
Never
59
Never
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never

Return on Investment %

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
$25k / yr
-222%
6%
-30%
$50k / yr
-153%
-38%
-56%
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 Rate14.4%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.

Top Professions

Software developers

5.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$90,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$91,166|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%

Graphic designers

4.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$51,773
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$51,773|$61,300
openings
20,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.1%

Artists and related workers

3.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$31,238
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$60,000|$99,060
openings
21,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.7%

Management occupations

3.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$55,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$60,000|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%

Art and design workers

2.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$44,300
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$68,000|$53,180
openings
84,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.3%

First-line supervisors of retail sales workers

2.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$23,480
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$45,020|$47,320
openings
125,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5%

Meeting, convention, and event planners

1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$33,765
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$33,765|$59,440
openings
15,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.8%

Customer service representatives

1.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$33,528
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$16,100|$42,830
openings
341,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5.5%

Retail salespersons

1.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$24,761
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$24,761|$34,580
openings
555,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.5%

Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive

1.7% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$21,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$30,821|$46,290
openings
202,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%

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 TitleCredential Level# CollegesMedian Earnings Range
arts, entertainment,and media management.Undergrad Certificate1$53,759 - $53,759
arts, entertainment,and media management.Associate's Degree3$26,528 - $36,420
arts, entertainment,and media management.Bachelor's Degree43$20,295 - $78,350
arts, entertainment,and media management.Master's Degree20$35,792 - $140,876
arts, entertainment,and media management.Graduate Certificate1$145,157 - $145,157
crafts/craft design, folk art and artisanry.Bachelor's Degree4$33,207 - $42,545
dance.Undergrad Certificate2$25,218 - $25,218
dance.Bachelor's Degree75$19,056 - $55,505
dance.Master's Degree3$46,428 - $46,428
design and applied arts.Undergrad Certificate18$14,015 - $94,066
design and applied arts.Associate's Degree123$20,225 - $65,849
design and applied arts.Bachelor's Degree310$20,542 - $95,088
design and applied arts.Master's Degree31$22,695 - $161,878
drama/theatre arts and stagecraft.Undergrad Certificate7$16,830 - $24,948
drama/theatre arts and stagecraft.Associate's Degree7$13,582 - $31,640
drama/theatre arts and stagecraft.Bachelor's Degree314$15,396 - $62,555
drama/theatre arts and stagecraft.Master's Degree50$18,882 - $62,017
drama/theatre arts and stagecraft.Doctoral Degree1Data N/A
drama/theatre arts and stagecraft.Graduate Certificate1Data N/A