Visual & Performing Arts at Temple University

Philadelphia, PA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Visual and Performing Arts, General
17 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
18
Optimistic
17
Base Case
15
Pessimistic
Earnings $20,667/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Large (63,400 openings/yr)
ROI 5.5x earnings multiple (3.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #57 of 59 Visual and Performing Arts, General programs

Program Analysis

A general visual and performing arts degree, particularly from a large public institution in a competitive urban market like Philadelphia, inherently places you in a challenging career landscape. While the city boasts a vibrant arts scene, stable, high-paying roles for broad generalists are scarce. You'll likely encounter a job market heavily reliant on freelance opportunities, project-based work, and intense competition for limited positions in galleries, small studios, or non-profits. Many graduates forge their own paths, blending artistic passion with entrepreneurial hustle, but this often means a longer ramp-up to financial stability. Consider that the "general" nature of the program might not equip you with the *specific* technical or business skills highly valued by employers or clients. If this path calls to you, proactively build a highly specialized portfolio and develop strong business acumen alongside your artistic talent to effectively navigate the real-world creative economy.

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 $485K $486K $455K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 5.5x 5.5x 5.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.2x 3.2x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 30%
DegreeOutlook Score 18 17 15

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$88,328
Out-of-state: $149,848 (3.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$116,876
-32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
15.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,341
90% growth from Year 1

About Temple University

Temple University accepts 83% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 21,249 students enrolled in Philadelphia, PA.

See all programs and financial aid at Temple 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 Temple University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Visual & Performing Arts at Temple University?
A score of 17/100 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 Temple University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $26,000 against $20,667/yr starting salary means roughly 1.3 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 $455,484 in decade earnings vs $484,826 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Visual & Performing Arts from Temple University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →