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 New York. 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. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,631. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $28,931. Set against $9,631 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #2 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $11,691. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $64,102. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $12,209 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $22,473 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,209 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #4. 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. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,750. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $27,585 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #5. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $18,316. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $22,297. Set against $18,316 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College placed #6 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $14,605 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $23,564. Set against $14,605 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Suffolk County Community College placed #7 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $24,851. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queensborough Community College earned the #8 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $16,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,600. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $18,107. Set against $10,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny York College placed #10 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,573. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $49,559 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,573 median debt. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #11 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Students borrow a median of $9,535 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $13,532. Set against $9,535 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #12 spot for visual & performing arts value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $8,715 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $20,221. Set against $8,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Hudson Valley Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,796 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,868. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $43,989. Set against $12,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #15 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $19,146. That is a strong return on a $7,858 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #16 among the best values for visual & performing arts. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $14,738. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College landed the #17 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. 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. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Hostos Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,254 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Students borrow a median of $9,007 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Hostos Community College generally make around $12,863. Set against $9,007 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Bronx Community College came in at #19 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $8,224. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $18,700. That is a strong return on a $8,224 median debt.
Niagara County Community College landed the #20 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $13,970 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $36,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Onondaga Community College came in at #21 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,466 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Onondaga Community College earn a median of $35,781 early in their careers. Set against $11,466 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Farmingdale State College placed #22 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Students borrow a median of $18,875 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $27,827. Set against $18,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Erie Community College earned the #23 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $37,069. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schenectady County Community College landed the #24 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,190, with out-of-state students paying around $8,974. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,902 ten years after entry.
Suny College At Old Westbury ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $20,274 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $44,443 early in their careers. Set against $20,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
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 · 147 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 66 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
