[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 226 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual & performing arts students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for visual & performing arts in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $9,631 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $28,583. That is a strong return on a $9,631 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes Princeton University one of the best values for visual & performing arts. 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. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #3. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $12,209 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $22,351. That is a strong return on a $12,209 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, 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 $27,584. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #5. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $64,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny City College earned the #6 position for value in visual & performing arts 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, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. 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 $22,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,132 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $24,823. That is a strong return on a $9,132 median debt.
Middlesex County College came in at #8 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $37,975. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
County College Of Morris ranked #9 on our 2027 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,210, with out-of-state students paying around $14,310. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,250 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $33,881. Set against $9,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned the #10 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $8,715 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $20,358. Set against $8,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College landed the #11 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. Students borrow a median of $14,605 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $24,168. That is a strong return on a $14,605 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #12 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,535 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $13,525 early in their careers. Set against $9,535 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Burlington County College placed #13 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,990, while out-of-state students pay about $9,495. Students borrow a median of $12,488 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $52,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #14 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $14,700 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,052. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $16,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delaware County Community College came in at #16 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,866. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $40,102. That is a strong return on a $14,866 median debt.
Monroe Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $9,767 median debt.
Hudson County Community College landed the #18 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,384, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $6,899 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $22,619 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,899 median debt.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #19 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $47,248. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nassau Community College came in at #20 for value in visual & performing arts 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. Students borrow a median of $10,600 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $18,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #21 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Mercer County Community College came in at #22 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,250. 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.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College landed the #23 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. That is a strong return on a $7,858 median debt.
Ulster County Community College landed the #24 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,666 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,146. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,354. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $47,424. That is a strong return on a $13,354 median debt.
Erie Community College earned the #25 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s visual & performing arts value ranking:
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Notes and References
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 · 226 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 226 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.
