Visual and Performing Arts, General at University of New Mexico-Main Campus

Albuquerque, NM · Public · Bachelor's Degree
27 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
28
Optimistic
27
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,286/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Large (63,400 openings/yr)
ROI 14.5x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #19 of 59 Visual and Performing Arts, General programs Top 50%

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 $468K $470K $443K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.4x 14.5x 13.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.4x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 30%
DegreeOutlook Score 28 27 24

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,460
Out-of-state: $105,800 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$69,912
-115% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
7.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,053
54% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $25,286/yr, roughly in line with the $25,525 national median for Visual and Performing Arts, General. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Visual and Performing Arts, General programs nationally.

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 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $15,000 represents roughly 7 months of the $25,286 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #19 of 59 Visual and Performing Arts, General programs, University of New Mexico-Main Campus scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $39,053 show a 54% jump from the $25,286 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of New Mexico-Main Campus

University of New Mexico-Main Campus accepts 95% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 16,686 in Albuquerque, NM.

See all programs and financial aid at University of New Mexico-Main Campus →

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 University of New Mexico-Main Campus?
A score of 27/100 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 $443,200 in decade earnings vs $468,194 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →