Visual & Performing Arts at Delta State University

Cleveland, MS · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Visual and Performing Arts, General
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
26
Optimistic
26
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,839/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Large (63,400 openings/yr)
ROI 12.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #22 of 59 Visual and Performing Arts, General programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Visual & Performing Arts graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $408K $416K $399K
Earnings Multiple 11.8x 12.1x 11.6x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 30%
DegreeOutlook Score 26 26 22

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$34,420
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,112
-60% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,708
10.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $24,839 track close to the $25,525 national median for Visual & Performing Arts programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Visual & Performing Arts programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Visual & Performing Arts's typical career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 2% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,708 represents roughly 10 months of the $24,839 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #22 of 59 Visual & Performing Arts programs, Delta State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

About Delta State University

Delta State University has a 100% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 1,613 students in Cleveland, MS. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Delta State University →

Top Career Paths

Art directors $111,040/yr
Special effects artists and animators $99,800/yr
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190/yr
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Visual & Performing Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Delta State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Visual & Performing Arts at Delta State University?
A score of 26/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Visual & Performing Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Visual & Performing Arts careers?
With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $398,520 in decade earnings vs $407,694 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →