Visual and Performing Arts at Elon University

Starting at under $19,000 in the first year, Elon's Visual and Performing Arts graduates face an immediate financial squeeze—that's $5,400 below the national median for arts programs and barely above the poverty line. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift dramatically with more data, but the pattern suggests this program serves students pursuing passion over paycheck, at least initially.

The redeeming factor here is trajectory: earnings nearly double by year four, reaching $31,442. While that still lags behind three-quarters of comparable programs nationally, it places Elon's graduates at the median among North Carolina's three arts programs. The $24,526 debt load—slightly below the national median—becomes more manageable as earnings climb, though parents should recognize that first-year income won't cover basic living expenses in most markets.

For families eyeing this program, the key question is whether your student has a specific career path that justifies the lean early years. Theater design, museum work, and arts administration careers often follow this earning pattern. But if your child is exploring arts broadly without clear professional direction, understand they'll likely need financial support or side work during those initial years. The small sample size also means you're betting on limited evidence—talk directly to recent grads about their actual outcomes before committing.