Visual & Performing Artsat Fordham University
Graduates earn $41,165/yr in their first year — about 61.0% above the national Visual & Performing Arts average. Base-case 10-year earnings $485K; scenarios range from $455K to $484K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Fordham University
Fordham's Visual and Performing Arts program stands out, largely due to its unparalleled location in New York City. This isn't just a degree; it's a direct pipeline into one of the world's most vibrant creative economies. You'll find yourself immersed in a dynamic ecosystem spanning advertising agencies, film and TV production houses, digital media studios, and a thriving gallery scene. The program's general nature allows you to explore various artistic disciplines, but critically, it empowers you to leverage NYC's vast internship and networking opportunities to specialize in high-demand areas like art direction or visual effects. Your peers and professors will be deeply connected to these industries, opening doors to careers that demand both artistic vision and technical skill. Given the evolving landscape of creative work, actively building a distinctive portfolio and real-world experience through these local connections will be your most valuable asset.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Fordham University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Visual & Performing Arts
How Fordham University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Fordham University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Fordham 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 →Frequently asked about Visual & Performing Arts at Fordham University
How does Fordham University's Visual & Performing Arts program score?
This program scores 32/100 — 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.
Why does Fordham University rank so high for Visual & Performing Arts?
The #8 ranking out of 59 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.