[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 809 schools to find the best return on investment for visual & performing arts students.
For return on investment in visual & performing arts, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,631. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $25,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Princeton University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,888. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,209 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $20,690. Set against $12,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $27,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,109. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $23,281 early in their careers. Set against $14,109 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. 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, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $18,316. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $22,624 early in their careers. Set against $18,316 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Florida placed #7 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,088 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $26,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida Online ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,983 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $30,629 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. 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 $22,538 early in their careers. Set against $18,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Santa Monica College came in at #10 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,948 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $34,160. Set against $18,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #12 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $17,779. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $20,736. Set against $17,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College landed the #13 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,605 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $23,205 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,605 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #14 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $22,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University landed the #15 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,400 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $29,788 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,400 median debt.
Texas A And M International University landed the #16 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $14,672 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $20,021. Set against $14,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Miami Dade College earned the #17 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $29,400. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Indiana University Northwest ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,434. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $48,925. Set against $26,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #19 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,715 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $20,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $21,288. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #22 position 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. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. 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. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
California State University Fresno ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $22,090 early in their careers. Set against $16,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earned the #24 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. 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. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $60,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,949 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $25,920. That is a strong return on a $12,949 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
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), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 809 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 809 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
