General
Miscellaneous Fine Arts
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Miscellaneous Fine Arts.
Entry Level Salary
$35,397
Median Salary
$63,714
Unemployment Rate
6.5%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
35.3%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,548,560
Entry (Early)
$35,397
Median (Prime)
$63,714
High (Prime)
$59,351
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
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
-137k
+111k
+75k
$25k / yr
-227k
+21k
-15k
$50k / yr
-317k
-69k
-105k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
31
34
$25k / yr
Never
52
Never
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-209%
20%
-14%
$50k / yr
-146%
-32%
-48%
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, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, 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
$93,713
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$95,668|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%
Graphic designers
4.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$54,275
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$54,275|$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
$33,765
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)
$61,903|$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
$24,648
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$47,195|$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
$35,397
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$35,397|$59,440
openings
15,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.8%
Customer service representatives
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$36,241
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
$25,957
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$25,957|$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
$21,866
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$32,279|$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.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| crafts/craft design, folk art and artisanry. | Bachelor's Degree | 10 | $37,253 - $41,739 |
| crafts/craft design, folk art and artisanry. | Master's Degree | 1 | Data N/A |
| dance. | Undergrad Certificate | 9 | $24,453 - $24,453 |
| dance. | Associate's Degree | 37 | Data N/A |
| dance. | Bachelor's Degree | 243 | $23,522 - $60,188 |
| dance. | Master's Degree | 39 | $56,162 - $89,283 |
| dance. | Doctoral Degree | 4 | Data N/A |
| design and applied arts. | Undergrad Certificate | 276 | $18,193 - $104,151 |
| design and applied arts. | Associate's Degree | 425 | $10,141 - $66,896 |
| design and applied arts. | Bachelor's Degree | 561 | $21,626 - $138,588 |
| design and applied arts. | Post-bacc Certificate | 3 | Data N/A |
| design and applied arts. | Master's Degree | 113 | $37,426 - $144,324 |
| design and applied arts. | Graduate Certificate | 8 | Data N/A |
| design and applied arts. | Level 99 | 6 | $70,550 - $70,550 |
| drama/theatre arts and stagecraft. | Undergrad Certificate | 37 | $26,274 - $35,889 |
| drama/theatre arts and stagecraft. | Associate's Degree | 146 | $27,161 - $30,729 |
| drama/theatre arts and stagecraft. | Bachelor's Degree | 795 | $20,673 - $64,880 |
| drama/theatre arts and stagecraft. | Master's Degree | 146 | $30,262 - $77,516 |
| drama/theatre arts and stagecraft. | Doctoral Degree | 32 | Data N/A |
| drama/theatre arts and stagecraft. | Graduate Certificate | 8 | Data N/A |