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Visual & Performing Arts at Suffolk County Community College

Selden, NY · Public · Associate Degree · Visual and Performing Arts, General

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 & Performing Arts. 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 & Performing Arts programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Visual & Performing Arts'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 & Performing Arts 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 & Performing Arts 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 & Performing Arts 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 →

Visual & Performing Arts Career Guide

What can you do with a Visual & Performing Arts credential from Suffolk County Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Visual & Performing Arts career guide →

Compare & Explore

Visual & Performing Arts Overview

View all 9 schools offering Visual & Performing Arts →

Visual & Performing Arts at Other Schools

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee ($34,346) Austin Community College District ($29,669) Full Sail University ($28,514) Full Sail University ($27,720) Pima Community College ($25,344) San Jacinto Community College ($21,173) CUNY Bronx Community College ($18,700) CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College ($9,376)

Other Majors at Suffolk County Community College

Nursing ($78,850) Vehicle Repair Technology ($42,496) Business Administration ($34,816) Criminal Justice ($31,617) Audio & Video Technology ($30,575) Accounting ($27,170) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($26,874) Design and Applied Arts ($24,907)

Explore the Degree Alternative

Compare Visual & Performing Arts degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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 & Performing Arts program score?
This program scores 36/100 — on the lower end for Visual & Performing Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Will AI affect Visual & Performing Arts careers?
The 38% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Suffolk County Community College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Can I learn Visual & Performing Arts through an apprenticeship instead of Suffolk County Community College?
If Suffolk County Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 5 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Visual & Performing Arts. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
What's the job market like for Visual & Performing Arts from Suffolk County Community College?
At 63,400 annual openings, Visual & Performing Arts has a large employment base. Suffolk County Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →