Visual and Performing Arts at University of Colorado Colorado Springs

UCCS graduates start strong in the arts, earning $30,966 their first year—well above the national median of $25,286 and landing in the 95th percentile nationwide. But here's the troubling part: by year four, median earnings drop to $23,949, a 23% decline that falls below even the national average. With $28,750 in debt, graduates face almost a full year's salary in loans against these diminished earnings.

The state comparison offers limited insight since only two Colorado schools report data for this program, putting UCCS at the 60th percentile—essentially the median. What matters more is the unusual earnings trajectory. Most degree programs show modest growth over time; this one shows significant decline. That pattern suggests graduates may be struggling to maintain early arts-related positions or shifting into lower-paying work as they search for stability in notoriously unstable creative fields.

For families banking on steady career progression, this program raises red flags. The first-year numbers look respectable, but they represent a peak rather than a foundation. Unless your child has exceptional talent, concrete industry connections, or a clear path in Colorado's smaller arts market, the debt load becomes harder to justify when earnings trend downward instead of up.