Visual and Performing Arts, General at CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College

New York, NY · Public · Associate Degree

with a mid-sized student body of 16,850 in New York, NY.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $9,376 place CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College below the $24,281 national median for Visual and Performing Arts, General — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

At 9.5x the cost of tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 38% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Visual and Performing Arts, General graduates.

With only 9 programs offering Visual and Performing Arts, General nationally, this is a niche field. CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College ranks #9 among them.

With 5 registered apprenticeships mapped to Visual and Performing Arts, General, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

27 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
24
Low End
27
Score
29
High End
Earnings $9,376/yr (-61% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Large (63,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$98K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
9.5x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
8 of 8
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$10,340
Out-of-state: $16,100
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$24,310
159% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Visual and Performing Arts, General graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Art directors $111,040 +4.2% 50%
Special effects artists and animators $99,800 +1.6% 48%
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190 +1.7% 56%
Art directors
$111,040
+4.2% growth 50% AI-proof
Special effects artists and animators
$99,800
+1.6% growth 48% AI-proof
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
$80,190
+1.7% growth 56% AI-proof

View all 8 career paths with full salary data →

About Visual and Performing Arts, General Careers

Your creative journey often begins as a graphic designer or photographer. As a designer, you’ll spend your days in front of a monitor using tools like Adobe Creative Suite to craft logos, build websites, and lay out marketing materials. As a photographer, you’ll be on-location or in-studio, capturing compelling images for clients, publications, or events.

Read the full Visual and Performing Arts, General career guide →

Compare & Explore

Visual and Performing Arts, General Overview

Visual and Performing Arts, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Visual and Performing Arts, General at CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College?
At 27/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Visual and Performing Arts, General programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Will AI affect 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 $98,093 in decade earnings vs $98,093 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Why are Visual and Performing Arts, General earnings lower at CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College?
Lower starting pay at CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Visual and Performing Arts, General?
Visual and Performing Arts, General connects to 5 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Visual and Performing Arts, General graduates?
The career paths mapped to Visual and Performing Arts, General have roughly 63,400 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →