If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Gateway Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among visual & performing arts schools in Wisconsin. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Gateway Technical College generally make around $29,734. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Waukesha County Technical College earned it the #2 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,554 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $39,095. That is a strong return on a $15,554 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $18,296. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,795. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Fox Valley Technical College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,582. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $32,673. That is a strong return on a $16,582 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $25,306 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,997. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $42,016. That is a strong return on a $14,997 median debt.
Chippewa Valley Technical College earned the #7 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,234. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $45,531. That is a strong return on a $14,234 median debt.
Madison Area Technical College came in at #8 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $30,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #9 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. In-state tuition and fees average $4,889, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $41,696. Set against $11,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Technical College La Cross earned the #10 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,078. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,057 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Western Technical College La Cross generally make around $23,032. That is a strong return on a $12,057 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay landed the #11 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,186 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $32,991. Set against $18,186 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #12 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,180 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $29,632. Set against $25,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Superior placed #13 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,726. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,845 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Superior generally make around $45,219. That is a strong return on a $27,845 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $23,677. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $37,379 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,677 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned the #15 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $30,084 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $28,801. That is a strong return on a $30,084 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #16 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,052. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $29,582 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,052 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #17 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $38,585. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #18 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $19,896 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $35,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $19,750. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $19,407 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #20 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,589. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $29,939. Set against $26,589 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #21 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Students borrow a median of $26,170 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $40,667. That is a strong return on a $26,170 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stout landed the #22 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,090 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $39,137 early in their careers. Set against $27,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Mary College placed #23 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Mount Mary College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,420. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,500. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $30,053. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Viterbo University earned the #24 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,250 in tuition and fees. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,906 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Viterbo University earn a median of $19,930 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Viterbo University admits about 72% of applicants.
Lawrence University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Lawrence University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Appleton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,982. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $19,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,789 ten years after entry. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
