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 Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in visual & performing arts in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,631 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $28,931 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #2 place for visual & performing arts. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $64,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,209. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $22,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #4 place for visual & performing arts. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,750. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $18,316 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $22,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #6 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $9,132 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $24,851. That is a strong return on a $9,132 median debt.
Cuny Queens College earned the #7 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $14,605 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $23,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,605 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Nassau Community College landed the #8 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,600. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $18,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $16,739. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
County College Of Morris ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Students borrow a median of $9,250 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $33,881. Set against $9,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson County Community College placed #11 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,384, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,899 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $22,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Burlington County College came in at #12 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,990 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $52,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny York College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,573. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $49,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #14 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,535 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $13,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #15 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #16 for value in visual & performing arts 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $8,715. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $20,221 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,715 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Hudson Valley Community College landed the #17 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $43,989. That is a strong return on a $12,868 median debt.
Mercer County Community College came in at #18 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Raritan Valley Community College earned the #19 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery College placed #20 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $11,230. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #21 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $14,738. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College landed the #22 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $19,146. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Princeton University placed #23 among the best values for visual & performing arts. 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. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. 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.
Middlesex County College placed #24 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College earned the #25 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,767. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $27,718. Set against $9,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s visual & performing arts value ranking:
Narrow Visual & Performing Arts Schools by State
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 · 356 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 131 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
