If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Sinclair Community College the best value for a degree in visual & performing arts in Ohio. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $24,490. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Cuyahoga Community College District, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,795 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $22,517. That is a strong return on a $11,795 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbus State Community College earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Ash. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,904. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $19,408. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College generally make around $42,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. That is a strong return on a $17,349 median debt.
Lakeland Community College came in at #6 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,872 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,235. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,857 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $51,941. Set against $19,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clark State Community College landed the #7 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,393, with out-of-state students paying around $8,049. Students borrow a median of $20,740 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $39,734. That is a strong return on a $20,740 median debt.
Owens Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Owens Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Perrysburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,870, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $19,383. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $45,785. That is a strong return on a $19,383 median debt.
Kent State University At Tuscarawas earned the #9 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $8,211, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,569 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Kent State University At Tuscarawas earn a median of $36,464 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Youngstown State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $32,389. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Terra State Community College earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Terra State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fremont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,748, while out-of-state students pay about $8,544. Students borrow a median of $24,070 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Terra State Community College generally make around $63,495. Set against $24,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #12 for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,669 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $34,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,230. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $33,360 early in their careers. Set against $26,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University landed the #14 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $28,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $27,860. That is a strong return on a $28,312 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,808. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $20,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Toledo placed #16 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,736 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $21,443 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent placed #17 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,474 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $29,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Shawnee State University landed the #18 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,448 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,032 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $28,843. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Shawnee State University generally make around $19,261. Set against $28,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,963 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $30,016. That is a strong return on a $25,963 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,666 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $29,355 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University landed the #21 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,193. Students borrow a median of $26,602 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $53,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Otterbein University came in at #22 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Westerville. In-state tuition and fees average $35,548. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,822 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Otterbein University earn a median of $12,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,822 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,833 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Capital University placed #24 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,234. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Capital University earn a median of $33,143 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Cedarville University earned the #25 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. Students from in state pay about $37,150 in tuition and fees. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $35,768. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Cedarville University admits about 65% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for visual & performing arts this year:
Notes and References
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 · 85 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
