[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for visual & performing arts students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of The District Of Columbia tops our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools in District of Columbia. Located in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,662 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,514. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $32,304. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of The District Of Columbia generally make around $57,060. That is a strong return on a $32,304 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Catholic University Of America earned it the #2 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Catholic University Of America earn a median of $23,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at George Washington University, which ranked #3. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $22,910. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $43,214. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Georgetown University one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $79,632. Set against $16,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
American University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $23,918. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from American University generally make around $33,837. Set against $23,918 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Howard University came in at #6 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,810 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $17,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
