Program Analysis
At $27,741 per year, Visual and Performing Arts, General graduates from California State University-San Marcos earn slightly above the $25,525 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Visual and Performing Arts, General programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Visual and Performing Arts, General's typical career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $18,625 represents roughly 8 months of the $27,741 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
At #11 of 59 nationally, this is a top-5% Visual and Performing Arts, General program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Earnings grow from $27,741 to $41,204 over five years — a 49% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.