Visual and Performing Arts at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

UW-Whitewater's Visual and Performing Arts program delivers something unusual in this field: graduates who actually earn above the national median. Starting at $28,226—higher than 73% of similar programs nationwide—students see steady growth to $34,177 by year four. That 21% earnings trajectory matters in a field where many graduates struggle to build sustainable careers.

The debt picture reinforces the value story. At $24,500, graduates owe less than both the national median ($26,083) and Wisconsin average ($26,925), with a debt-to-earnings ratio under 1.0. For context, among Wisconsin's seven arts programs, this one sits right at the state median for earnings while keeping debt below average. Students aren't paying premium tuition for middle-tier outcomes—they're getting market-rate results at a reasonable price.

The caveat is that $28,000 remains a modest starting salary by any standard, and arts careers often require additional hustle beyond the day job. But for families who've accepted that their child is committed to this path, UW-Whitewater offers better-than-average preparation without excessive financial burden. The combination of manageable debt and above-average earnings positions graduates to actually make the numbers work.