Visual and Performing Arts, General at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Milwaukee, WI · Public · Certificate

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has a 88% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 16,762 in Milwaukee, WI.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,346 put University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Visual and Performing Arts, General program 41% above the national median of $24,281 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 56.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI exposure is significant at 38% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

The $24,528 debt-to-$34,346 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

With only 9 programs offering Visual and Performing Arts, General nationally, this is a niche field. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee ranks #1 among them.

Earnings growth from $34,346 to $58,504 over five years (70% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

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.

53 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
53
Score
56
High End
Earnings $34,346/yr (41% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Large (63,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$603K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
60.2x
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)
$10,020
Out-of-state: $22,020
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,528
8.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,504
70% 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 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Visual and Performing Arts, General program score?
A score of 53/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Visual and Performing Arts, General field.
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.
What makes University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Visual and Performing Arts, General program stand out?
Ranked #1 of 9 programs nationally, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Are there apprenticeship options for Visual and Performing Arts, General?
Yes — 5 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Visual and Performing Arts, General career paths, including Graphic Designer. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Is there demand for Visual and Performing Arts, General workers?
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 →