Visual & Performing Arts at University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Visual and Performing Arts, General
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
47
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,878/yr (13% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Large (63,400 openings/yr)
ROI 25.6x earnings multiple (7.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 59 Visual and Performing Arts, General programs Top 5%

Program Analysis

Your journey through UCF's Visual and Performing Arts program is uniquely shaped by its Orlando location. The robust entertainment, theme park, and digital media industries in Central Florida create a dynamic ecosystem for creative talent. Companies like Disney and Universal, alongside numerous simulation and marketing agencies, actively seek graduates with diverse artistic skills, often providing direct pipelines from internships into full-time roles. This strong regional demand for artists, animators, and creative directors is a significant factor in the career outcomes you're seeing. While the "General" nature of the degree offers flexibility, it underscores the importance of actively specializing through your coursework and portfolio. Given the evolving landscape of AI in creative fields, focus intensely on developing unique human-centric skills and building a professional network within Orlando's vibrant industry.

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 $668K $652K $591K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 26.2x 25.6x 23.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.4x 7.3x 6.6x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 30%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 47 42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$25,472
Out-of-state: $89,868 (7.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$42,600
-67% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,481
9.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$68,613
138% growth from Year 1

About University of Central Florida

University of Central Florida admits 40% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, one of the larger campuses at 59,095 students in Orlando, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Central Florida →

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 University of Central Florida

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Central Florida's Visual & Performing Arts program score?
This program scores 47/100 — 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 University of Central Florida rank so high for Visual & Performing Arts?
The #1 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →