Visual and Performing Arts at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

Starting at just over $22,000 a year puts East Stroudsburg's visual and performing arts graduates roughly $2,500 below the Pennsylvania median and nearly $3,000 behind the national benchmark. That's real money when you're trying to establish yourself in a creative field. The program ranks in the 40th percentile statewide—meaning six out of ten Pennsylvania arts programs produce better first-year outcomes. The debt load of $27,400 isn't outrageous by arts program standards, but it equals 1.23 times that first-year salary, making repayment a genuine challenge on an entry-level arts income.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift with a larger dataset, but the pattern is consistent: this program underperforms both state and national norms. For comparison, Moore College of Art and Design graduates earn $5,000 more right out of the gate with similar debt levels, while Drexel's arts program produces earnings more than double East Stroudsburg's. Even Temple, despite lower first-year earnings, serves a similar student population at a lower cost.

For families considering this program, the math is straightforward: you're likely taking on above-average debt for below-average outcomes in a field that already struggles with low starting salaries. Unless your child has specific reasons to attend East Stroudsburg—faculty relationships, location needs, or particular program features—other Pennsylvania options offer better returns on the same investment.