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Visual and Performing Arts, General at Pacific Northwest College of Art

Portland, OR · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $13,895/yr (-46% vs median)

AI Risk High (38% exposed)

Job Market Large (63,400 openings/yr)

ROI 2.0x earnings multiple

Ranked #42 of 59 Visual and Performing Arts, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Visual and Performing Arts, General graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$356K	$369K	$361K
Earnings Multiple	1.9x	2.0x	1.9x
Probability of Field Employment	41%	37%	30%
DegreeOutlook Score	21	21	19

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$188,504

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$163,384

13% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

Pacific Northwest College of Art's Visual and Performing Arts, General graduates start at $13,895/yr, trailing the $25,525 national average by 46%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The financial case is thin at 2.0x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Visual and Performing Arts, General's typical career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a -1% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #42 of 59 Visual and Performing Arts, General programs, Pacific Northwest College of Art falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Pacific Northwest College of Art

Pacific Northwest College of Art's 69% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 412 students in Portland, OR. 44% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Pacific Northwest College of Art →

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 and Performing Arts, General at Other Schools

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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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Visual and Performing Arts, General at Pacific Northwest College of Art?

A score of 21/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Visual and Performing Arts, General. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Visual and Performing Arts, General careers?

With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $360,634 in decade earnings vs $356,396 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Visual and Performing Arts, General from Pacific Northwest College of Art?

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 →