[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1234 schools to find the best return on investment for visual & performing arts students.
Finding the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts School for You
The visual & performing arts program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in visual & performing arts in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,631 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $28,583. Set against $9,631 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,209. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $22,351 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $17,075. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Middlesex Community College Bedford one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,755 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $48,427 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #5 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $27,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #6 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $64,102. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Princeton University came in at #7 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,888. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Central Piedmont Community College placed #8 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $30,979 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College placed #9 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #10 for value in visual & performing arts this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,109 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $23,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida placed #11 among the best values for visual & performing arts. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,088 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $27,997 early in their careers. Set against $17,088 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Cuny City College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $18,316. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $22,375 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,316 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida Online earned the #13 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,983 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $30,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Joliet Junior College came in at #14 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #15 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College landed the #16 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
San Diego Miramar College placed #17 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
California State University Fullerton came in at #18 for value in visual & performing arts this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,772 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $35,815. Set against $18,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Oxnard College came in at #19 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #20 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College earned the #21 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $5,500. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $33,116. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College earned the #22 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
West Valley College earned the #23 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,308. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #24 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,602. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s visual & performing arts value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1234 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,234 ranked schools only.
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).
[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
