[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 2217 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual & performing arts students.
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,631. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $26,204 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,631 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $64,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,209 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $20,824 early in their careers. Set against $12,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #4 place for visual & performing arts. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,949 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $25,920. That is a strong return on a $12,949 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Seminole State College Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,122, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,558 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $39,221 early in their careers. Set against $28,558 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,585. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny City College landed the #7 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $18,316. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $22,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #8 for value in visual & performing arts this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $18,772 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $22,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida Online came in at #9 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, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,983 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $30,629. That is a strong return on a $17,983 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #10 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,109 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $23,153 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $17,088. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $24,656. That is a strong return on a $17,088 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Berea College came in at #12 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $20,036. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Cuny Queens College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,605 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $22,944. That is a strong return on a $14,605 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield placed #14 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Monica College placed #15 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. 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.
Texas A And M International University placed #16 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,672. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $20,035 early in their careers. Set against $14,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $60,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny York College placed #18 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,573 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $49,559 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,573 median debt. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
Clover Park Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,634 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $15,154. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $42,209 early in their careers. Set against $15,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #20 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California State University Fresno came in at #21 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,596. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $21,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,779 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $19,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #23 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $21,288. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge placed #24 among the best values for visual & performing arts. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,155. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $22,475. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #25 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $8,715 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $19,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,715 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
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:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 2217 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 555 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
