HUMANITIES Specialization

Arts Therapy

Arts Therapy graduates earn $48,240 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,627 and $64,853. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

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About Arts Therapy

Arts Therapy is a focused area of study within Visual & Performing Arts. Graduates typically earn around $48,240 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 346 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 4,722 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $28,357
Median Earnings · 4yr: $48,240
Colleges Offering: 346
Graduates / Year: 4,722
Avg Net Price / yr: $28,563

How Much Do Arts Therapy Graduates Earn?

Arts Therapy graduates earn $48,240 four years out, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,627 and $64,853. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $28,357 climbs to $48,240 by year four.

$28,357

1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$48,240

4-Year National Median

Below average for bachelor's degree holders.

$48,367

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

There is a moderate earnings spread across Arts Therapy graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.

$31,627 25th pct.

$48,240 Median

$64,853 75th pct.

Is the Cost Worth It?

At median 4-year earnings of $48,240 and an estimated $114,252 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 6.3 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.

Based on outcomes from 240 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 4,722 students who complete Arts Therapy programs each year, the majority (65%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

65% 26%

Bachelor's 65%

Master's 26%

Associate's 5%

What Can You Do With an Arts Therapy Degree?

Arts Therapy connects to 4 occupations in the job market. Producer & Director leads at $90,360/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +4.9% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Producer & Director

$90,360

$63K $135K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 12,800 openings/yr 143K employed nationally

Active Listening Speaking Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Judgment and Decision Making

Day-to-day responsibilities

Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guests, set design, sound, special effects, and choreography.

Plan details such as framing, composition, camera movement, sound, and actor movement for each shot or scene.
Communicate to actors the approach, characterization, and movement needed for each scene in such a way that rehearsals and takes are minimized.
Direct live broadcasts, films and recordings, or non-broadcast programming for public entertainment or education.

↗ +8.7% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Agents & Business Managers

$82,890

$64K $146K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 2,200 openings/yr 13K employed nationally

Negotiation Persuasion Speaking Active Listening Reading Comprehension

Day-to-day responsibilities

Represent and promote artists, performers, and athletes in dealings with current or prospective employers. May handle contract negotiation and other business matters for clients.

Collect fees, commissions, or other payments, according to contract terms.
Send samples of clients' work and other promotional material to potential employers to obtain auditions, sponsorships, or endorsement deals.
Keep informed of industry trends and deals.

↗ +1.7% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

$78,620

$62K $104K 25th–75th pct.

Master's degree 9,000 openings/yr 94K employed nationally

Speaking Instructing Learning Strategies Reading Comprehension Active Listening

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Explain and demonstrate artistic techniques.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, performances, projects, assignments, and papers.
Prepare students for performances, exams, or assessments.

↘ -0.3% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Music Director & Composer

$73,710

$53K $104K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 4,300 openings/yr 13K employed nationally

Active Listening Speaking Judgment and Decision Making Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension

Day-to-day responsibilities

Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.

Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.

Top Colleges for Arts Therapy

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Arts Therapy students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	Belmont University Nashville, TN · Nonprofit	410	95.3%	$33,147	$55,930
2	Berklee College of Music Boston, MA · Nonprofit	243	43.5%	$49,465	$33,647
3	University of Central Florida Orlando, FL · Public	168	40.1%	$10,411	$58,308
4	The New School New York, NY · Nonprofit	147	63.5%	$58,741	$52,901
5	University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit	138	9.8%	$32,740	$92,498
6	Drexel University Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit	128	79.4%	$38,509	$84,648
7	Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN · Public	112	69.1%	$13,359	$48,541
8	Columbia College Chicago Chicago, IL · Nonprofit	106	89.5%	$26,598	$42,195
9	Pace University New York, NY · Nonprofit	84	75.9%	$30,892	$70,378
10	Northwestern University Evanston, IL · Nonprofit	81	7.7%	$29,167	$89,363
11	Boston University Boston, MA · Nonprofit	72	11.1%	$24,402	$83,238
12	Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA · Nonprofit	71	11.7%	$31,944	$114,862
13	Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, LA · Nonprofit	69	93.1%	$23,696	$52,927
14	College of Charleston Charleston, SC · Public	63	60%	$18,960	$56,416
15	Syracuse University Syracuse, NY · Nonprofit	61	45.9%	$38,793	$79,164
16	Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, IN · Public	59	78.2%	$16,264	$63,742
17	University of Kentucky Lexington, KY · Public	58	92.9%	$18,851	$59,025
18	University of Miami Coral Gables, FL · Nonprofit	52	18.9%	$37,244	$75,328
19	SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, NY · Public	48	74.1%	$18,913	$45,092
20	SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, NY · Public	47	69.6%	$19,158	$60,386

View all colleges

Ranked by Arts Therapy graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Arts Therapy program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Arts Therapy degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Arts Therapy Degree: Pros & Cons

Arts Therapy carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 3 strengths and 4 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.

PROS

Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $28,357 at graduation to $48,240 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +8.7% over the next decade, with Agents & Business Managers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 28,300 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.

CONS

Modest median earnings Four-year median of $48,240 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas 1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Long earnings breakeven At median salary and average net price, recovering education costs versus a baseline wage takes roughly 6.3 years.

Arts Therapy Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Arts Therapy graduates earn?

Arts Therapy graduates earn a national median of $48,240 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,627 and $64,853. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.

What is the starting salary for a Arts Therapy degree?

One year after graduation, Arts Therapy degree holders earn a median of $28,357. That climbs to $48,240 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.

What jobs can you get with a Arts Therapy degree?

Arts Therapy degree holders pursue careers including Producer & Director, which pays a median of $90,360/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.

How long does a Arts Therapy program take?

A Arts Therapy bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.

How many colleges offer Arts Therapy?

346 colleges and universities in the United States offer Arts Therapy programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.

Is a Arts Therapy degree worth it?

With a median 4-year salary of $48,240 and an average net price of roughly $28,563/yr, a Arts Therapy degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.

What is the difference between Arts Therapy and Visual & Performing Arts?

Arts Therapy is a focused concentration within the broader Visual & Performing Arts field. The Visual & Performing Arts major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Arts Therapy-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.

What skills do employers look for in Arts Therapy graduates?

Employers hiring Arts Therapy graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.

What is the job outlook for Arts Therapy graduates?

The job outlook for Arts Therapy graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +3.8% job growth over the next 10 years. Agents & Business Managers is among the strongest-growth roles at +8.7%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.