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Visual & Performing Arts · Visual & Performing Arts Rank #4 of 59

Visual & Performing Artsat Drexel University

Graduates earn $51,248/yr in their first year — about 101.0% above the national Visual & Performing Arts average. Base-case 10-year earnings $528K; scenarios range from $490K to $531K depending on AI disruption.

Philadelphia, PA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
37 AT RISK
37
Optimistic
31
Pessimistic
Earnings
$51,248
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.1x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$528K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
40% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Drexel University

Drexel's Visual and Performing Arts program achieves impressive career outcomes, largely fueled by its location and distinctive educational model. Situated in Philadelphia, a vibrant cultural and design hub, you'll have unparalleled access to a diverse ecosystem of galleries, design studios, and advertising agencies. The university's renowned co-op program is a significant differentiator, embedding real-world professional experience directly into your degree path. This hands-on immersion allows you to build a robust portfolio and critical industry connections long before graduation, directly translating into strong earnings in fields like art direction and special effects animation. While the creative landscape is evolving, your practical experience through co-op is invaluable for developing adaptable skills and carving out unique niches. Focus intensely on leveraging every co-op opportunity to network and refine your craft, building a diverse, professional portfolio that showcases your unique vision.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$490K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score31/100
Earnings Multiple2.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$528K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score37/100
Earnings Multiple2.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$531K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score37/100
Earnings Multiple2.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Drexel University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Visual & Performing Arts graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Art directors
+4.2% 10-yr growth · 12,300 openings/yr
$111,040/yr
High
2
Special effects artists and animators
+1.6% 10-yr growth · 5,000 openings/yr
$99,800/yr
High
3
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 9,000 openings/yr
$80,190/yr
Moderate
4
Artists and related workers, all other
+0.8% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$72,760/yr
Low
5
Graphic designers
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 20,000 openings/yr
$61,300/yr
High
6
Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators
-1.2% 10-yr growth · 2,200 openings/yr
$60,560/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Visual & Performing Arts

How Drexel University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Fordham University
NY · Private nonprofit
32
DW Score
$41K
1-yr earn
0.7x
ROI
Longwood University
VA · Public
32
DW Score
$35K
1-yr earn
6.5x
ROI
Siena College
NY · Private nonprofit
27
DW Score
$34K
1-yr earn
0.9x
ROI
George Mason University
VA · Public
35
DW Score
$32K
1-yr earn
8.5x
ROI
University of Florida
FL · Public
34
DW Score
$31K
1-yr earn
11.0x
ROI
Also at Drexel University

Other top programs at Drexel University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Drexel University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Visual & Performing Arts offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Visual & Performing Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Visual & Performing Arts at Drexel University

How does Drexel University's Visual & Performing Arts program score?

This program scores 37/100 — on the lower end for Visual & Performing Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Visual & Performing Arts to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Visual & Performing Arts careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 38% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.