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 Hudson County Community College, our #1 best value for visual & performing arts in New Jersey. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. 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.
Mercer County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot 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. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,250. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $45,389 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Burlington County College earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,990 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Essex County College earned it the #4 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $37,915. 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 Middlesex County College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Raritan Valley Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
County College Of Morris placed #7 among the best values for visual & performing arts. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,210, with out-of-state students paying around $14,310. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $33,881. Set against $9,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sussex County Community College earned the #8 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,024 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,179. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Princeton University came in at #9 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Bergen Community College earned the #10 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,913 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,294 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,720 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Bergen Community College generally make around $51,280. Set against $17,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brookdale Community College earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,651. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Passaic County Community College landed the #12 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,560. Students borrow a median of $9,581 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Passaic County Community College earn a median of $28,957 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,581 median debt.
Atlantic Cape Community College earned the #13 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,594 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,002 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Atlantic Cape Community College earn a median of $37,141 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Jersey City University earned the #14 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $21,209 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $18,840. Set against $21,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Ocean County College came in at #15 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,906, compared with $6,970 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $13,792 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Ocean County College earn a median of $41,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,792 median debt.
Kean University landed the #16 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $27,685 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Kean University earn a median of $31,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,685 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Montclair State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,524 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $32,938. That is a strong return on a $26,524 median debt. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology placed #18 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,974 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $38,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. New Jersey Institute Of Technology admits about 65% of applicants.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey landed the #19 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,921 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $25,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Camden came in at #20 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,764, with out-of-state students paying around $37,276. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $25,366. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $24,552 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University Camden admits about 66% of applicants.
Rutgers University Newark placed #21 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,250, while out-of-state students pay about $36,762. Students borrow a median of $25,278 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark generally make around $23,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University Newark admits about 71% of applicants.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earned the #22 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,266, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,954 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $25,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey placed #23 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,777, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,395 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn a median of $22,154 early in their careers. Set against $23,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.
Rowan University placed #24 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,788. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $29,850 early in their careers. Set against $24,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Berkeley College Woodland Park placed #25 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Berkeley College Woodland Park is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Woodland Park. In-state tuition and fees average $28,320. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $23,949. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Berkeley College Woodland Park generally make around $27,937. Set against $23,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
