ASSOCIATE + BACHELOR’S · ILLUSTRATIVE ECONOMIC ROIBest ROI majors
Compare degree fields using reported earnings, college-wide average net price, expected study time and earnings forgone while enrolled.
Arts, Media & Humanities9 qualifying field-and-credential categories
1Communication and Media StudiesAssociate's Degree · institution price context $8,402/yr−108%2Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesAssociate's Degree · institution price context $9,993/yr−120%3Design and Applied ArtsAssociate's Degree · institution price context $12,539/yr−169%4MusicAssociate's Degree · institution price context $18,031/yr−170%5Radio, Television, and Digital CommunicationAssociate's Degree · institution price context $7,930/yr−175%6Fine and Studio ArtsAssociate's Degree · institution price context $8,682/yr−196%7English Language and Literature, GeneralAssociate's Degree · institution price context $6,728/yr−198%8Film/Video and Photographic ArtsAssociate's Degree · institution price context $17,919/yr−202%9Visual and Performing Arts, GeneralAssociate's Degree · institution price context $10,810/yr−214%The ROI scenario compares reported earnings with a $45,000 annual earnings baseline and includes study-time opportunity cost. Annual cost is the average college-wide net price among institutions reporting the field, not program tuition. Certificate and graduate credentials are excluded because that proxy is not reliable enough for those programs.