Visual & Performing Arts at Salem State University
Salem, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Visual and Performing Arts, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
22
Optimistic
22
Base Case
18
Pessimistic
Earnings
$24,699/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk
High (38% exposed)
Job Market
Large (63,400 openings/yr)
ROI
9.5x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)
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 | $451K | $455K | $430K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 9.4x | 9.5x | 9.0x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.9x | 6.0x | 5.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 41% | 37% | 30% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 22 | 22 | 18 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$47,912
Out-of-state: $75,844 (6.0x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,874
12.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,940
46% growth from Year 1
About Salem State University
Salem State University has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 4,286 students in Salem, MA.
See all programs and financial aid at Salem 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
Compare & Explore
Visual & Performing Arts at Other Schools
Other Majors at Salem 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 Salem State University?
A score of 22/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Visual & Performing Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Visual & Performing Arts at Salem State University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $25,874 against $24,699/yr starting salary means roughly 1.0 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
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 $430,441 in decade earnings vs $450,918 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →