Visual and Performing Arts, General at University of North Carolina Asheville

Asheville, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
31
Optimistic
31
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,023/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Large (63,400 openings/yr)
ROI 17.2x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #10 of 59 Visual and Performing Arts, General programs Top 25%

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 $516K $514K $478K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.3x 17.2x 16.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.2x 5.2x 4.8x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 30%
DegreeOutlook Score 31 31 28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,844
Out-of-state: $99,236 (5.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,460
-72% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,582
11.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,049
96% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $23,023/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 17.2x 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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,582 represents roughly 12 months of the $23,023 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #10 of 59 nationally, this is a top-5% Visual and Performing Arts, General program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $45,049 show a 96% jump from the $23,023 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of North Carolina Asheville

University of North Carolina Asheville accepts 94% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 2,790 in Asheville, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina Asheville →

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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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 and Performing Arts, General at University of North Carolina Asheville?
A score of 31/100 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 $478,263 in decade earnings vs $515,669 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of North Carolina Asheville's Visual and Performing Arts, General program stand out?
Ranked #10 of 59 programs nationally, University of North Carolina Asheville lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →