Visual and Performing Arts, General at Suffolk County Community College

Selden, NY · Public · Associate Degree

with a mid-sized student body of 14,134 in Selden, NY.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $23,694/yr, roughly in line with the $24,281 national median for Visual and Performing Arts, General. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 22.9x 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 career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 18% gap from the optimistic case.

This program is one of 9 schools offering Visual and Performing Arts, General in our dataset — a specialized trade with limited comparison points.

Earnings grow from $23,694 to $29,196 over five years — a 23% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Visual and Performing Arts, General offers 5 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

36 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
32
Low End
36
Score
38
High End
Earnings $23,694/yr (-2% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Large (63,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$303K
5.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
23.5x
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)
$12,880
Out-of-state: $24,160
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$29,196
23% 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 Suffolk County Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Suffolk County Community College's Visual and Performing Arts, General program score?
This program scores 36/100 — on the lower end for Visual and Performing Arts, General. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Should I worry about AI if I study Visual and Performing Arts, General?
The 38% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
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?
With approximately 63,400 annual openings across mapped careers, Visual and Performing Arts, General offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →