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2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k

39 Ranked Colleges
5,842 Degrees Awarded
$13,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 155,377 visual and performing arts students received their degree, making the major the 10th most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, visual and performing arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $25,427 and had an average of $28,377 in loans still to pay off.

Across Massachusetts, there were 5,842 visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,451 and $27,325 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 39 colleges that offer a degree in visual and performing arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent visual and performing arts programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the visual and performing arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The visual & performing arts school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for massachusetts visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts (Income $30-$48k) in Massachusetts

#1

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 152 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harvard, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Harvard University is $1,010 for Massachusetts Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Harvard University

#2

Williams College

Williamstown, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Williams College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k. Williams is located in Williamstown, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 57 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our massachusetts visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Williams has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Williams is $2,223 for Massachusetts Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Williams Visual & Performing Arts Report

#3

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Boston College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 40 students in 2019-2020.

Boston College also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Boston College is $8,951 for Massachusetts Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Boston College

#4

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northeastern University landed the #4 spot on the list. Northeastern is a large school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 138 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Northeastern also took the #8 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern is $12,823 for Massachusetts Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Northeastern

#5

Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Tufts University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Tufts University is located in Medford, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 124 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

Tufts did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Tufts University is $6,516 for massachusetts visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Full Tufts Visual & Performing Arts Report

#6

Wellesley College

Wellesley, Massachusetts

Wellesley College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Wellesley, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 48 degrees to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Wellesley has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wellesley is $4,519 for massachusetts visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Wellesley

#7

Holyoke Community College

Holyoke, Massachusetts

Holyoke Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Holyoke Community College is located in Holyoke, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Holyoke Community College, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $6,815 for massachusetts visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Holyoke Community College.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Holyoke Community College

#8

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 405 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Boston U also took the #5 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $13,256 for massachusetts visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Boston University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Boston University

#9

Smith College

Northampton, Massachusetts

Smith College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Northampton, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 70 students in 2019-2020.

Smith also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Smith College is $10,169 for Massachusetts Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Smith Visual & Performing Arts Report

#10

College of the Holy Cross

Worcester, Massachusetts

College of the Holy Cross landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

Holy Cross also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend College of the Holy Cross is $19,031 for Massachusetts Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full College of the Holy Cross Visual & Performing Arts Report

#11

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Amherst, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 241 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMass Amherst, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Massachusetts Amherst is $14,474 for massachusetts visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Massachusetts Amherst Visual & Performing Arts Report

#12

Mount Holyoke College

South Hadley, Massachusetts

Mount Holyoke College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mt. Holyoke is a private not-for-profit institution located in South Hadley, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 62 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Mt. Holyoke also took the #14 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mount Holyoke College is $17,192 for Massachusetts Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Mt. Holyoke Visual & Performing Arts Report

#13

Springfield Technical Community College

Springfield, Massachusetts

Springfield Technical Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Springfield Technical Community College is located in Springfield, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for STCC is $8,473 for massachusetts visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at STCC

#14

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

North Adams, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #14, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. MCLA is a small public school situated in North Adams, Massachusetts. It awarded 34 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is $13,325 for massachusetts visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at MCLA

#15

University of Massachusetts - Lowell

Lowell, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #15, University of Massachusetts - Lowell did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. UMass Lowell is a fairly large public school situated in Lowell, Massachusetts. It awarded 125 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

UMass Lowell not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $12,330 for massachusetts visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMass Lowell.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at University of Massachusetts - Lowell

#16

Westfield State University

Westfield, Massachusetts

Westfield State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Westfield, Massachusetts, this medium-sized public school awarded 41 diplomas to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

Westfield also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for Westfield State University is $14,071 for Massachusetts Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Westfield

#17

Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Bridgewater State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bridgewater State is a fairly large public school situated in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. It awarded 75 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Bridgewater State also took the #19 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $14,707 for massachusetts visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Bridgewater State.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Bridgewater State University

#18

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts

Brandeis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. This medium-sized school is located in Waltham, Massachusetts, and it awarded 65 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Brandeis has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Brandeis University is $16,074 for massachusetts visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Full Brandeis University Visual & Performing Arts Report

#19

Wheaton College Massachusetts

Norton, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #19, Wheaton College Massachusetts did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Norton, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 74 students in 2019-2020.

Wheaton College Massachusetts also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $22,008 for Massachusetts Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wheaton College Massachusetts.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full Wheaton College Massachusetts Visual & Performing Arts Report

#20

Framingham State University

Framingham, Massachusetts

Framingham State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Framingham, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $16,490 for massachusetts visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Framingham State.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Framingham State University

#21

Salem State University

Salem, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #21, Salem State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Salem State is a medium-sized school located in Salem, Massachusetts that handed out 85 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $16,416 for Massachusetts Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Salem State University.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Salem State University

#22

University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth

North Dartmouth, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #22, University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth is a medium-sized school located in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts that handed out 101 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for UMass Dartmouth is $15,219 for massachusetts visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at UMass Dartmouth

#23

University of Massachusetts - Boston

Boston, Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts - Boston did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. This fairly large school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 70 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UMass Boston is $15,055 for massachusetts visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at UMass Boston

#24

Stonehill College

Easton, Massachusetts

Stonehill College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Easton, Massachusetts, and it awarded 20 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Stonehill not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Stonehill College is $24,386 for massachusetts visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Stonehill Visual & Performing Arts Report

#25

Clark University

Worcester, Massachusetts

Clark University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. This small school is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, and it awarded 50 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Clark University is $20,581 for massachusetts visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Clark University

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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