Visual & Performing Arts at Pima Community College

Tucson, AZ · Public · Associate Degree · Visual and Performing Arts, General

with a mid-sized student body of 13,869 in Tucson, AZ.

Program Analysis

At $25,344/yr, Visual & Performing Arts graduates from Pima Community College land near the $24,281 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 55.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Visual & Performing Arts career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

The median debt load of $7,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Visual & Performing Arts is offered at just 9 schools in our analysis. Pima Community College's #4 ranking should be read in that context.

The 5 apprenticeship pathways connected to Visual & Performing Arts reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

46 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
43
Low End
46
Score
48
High End
Earnings $25,344/yr (4% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Large (63,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$25K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
55.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
8 of 8
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,740
Out-of-state: $15,372
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,000
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$19,980
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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 Pima 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

Visual & Performing Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pima Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 46/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Visual & Performing Arts at Pima Community College?
At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Visual & Performing Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the AI risk for Visual & Performing Arts graduates from Pima Community College?
With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $265,153 in decade earnings vs $265,153 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
How affordable is Visual & Performing Arts at Pima Community College?
At $7,000 in median debt, Visual & Performing Arts graduates from Pima Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Visual & Performing Arts program at Pima Community College?
Beyond Pima Community College's classroom route, 5 registered apprenticeships map to Visual & Performing Arts careers — including Graphic Designer. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How many job openings are there for Visual & Performing Arts graduates?
With approximately 63,400 annual openings across mapped careers, Visual & Performing Arts offers a large employment pool. Pima Community College graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →