Performing Arts Studiesat University of California-San Diego
Graduates earn $34,401/yr in their first year — about 39.0% above the national Performing Arts Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $457K; scenarios range from $433K to $453K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC San Diego
This "Visual and Performing Arts, Other" program at UCSD stands out not just for its unique, interdisciplinary nature, but also because of the institution's strong academic reputation and its Southern California location. Unlike more traditional arts programs, UCSD's often integrates technology, theory, and performance studies, preparing you for roles that transcend conventional artistic boundaries. Graduates frequently find opportunities in burgeoning fields like experience design, digital media production, arts administration, or even creative tech, leveraging the region's diverse economy.
While the "teacher" path is valid, your specific training here can open doors to less obvious, higher-value careers. Given the high AI risk, you should actively seek out internships that emphasize the human-centric, conceptual, and project management aspects of the arts, differentiating your skills for a dynamic job market.
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 UC San Diego'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 Performing Arts Studies
How UC San Diego stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC San Diego
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC San Diego, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Performing Arts Studies offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Performing Arts Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Performing Arts Studies at UC San Diego
How does University of California-San Diego's Performing Arts Studies program score?
This program scores 28/100 — on the lower end for Performing Arts Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Performing Arts Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Performing Arts Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 44% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of California-San Diego rank so high for Performing Arts Studies?
The #2 ranking out of 8 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.