Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in visual & performing arts, no school beat Delaware County Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,866 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $40,102. That is a strong return on a $14,866 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Montgomery County Community College, which ranked #2. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,690, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,641. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $19,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Bucks County Community College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $13,068 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Swarthmore College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,494. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Lehigh Carbon Community College, which ranked #5. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,450. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Westmoreland County Community College landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Community College Of Allegheny County earned the #7 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $15,263. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northampton County Area Community College earned the #8 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $15,250. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $19,022 early in their careers. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #9 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg placed #10 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $17,496. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $41,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,407. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $37,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Reading Area Community College placed #12 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,480, with out-of-state students paying around $12,510. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,979. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Reading Area Community College earn a median of $49,248 early in their careers. Set against $13,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania Western University placed #13 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology came in at #14 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,400. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $28,375 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $35,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology admits about 87% of applicants.
Lycoming College landed the #15 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Lycoming College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Williamsport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,804. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Lycoming College earn a median of $25,858 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Students borrow a median of $26,045 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $17,533. That is a strong return on a $26,045 median debt. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
Community College Of Philadelphia ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,632 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,926 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $37,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #18 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $36,039. Set against $27,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #19 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $26,241 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #20 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $25,257. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Albright College earned the #22 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,082 in tuition and fees. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Albright College generally make around $25,199. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Albright College admits about 76% of applicants.
Marywood University earned the #23 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,420. Students borrow a median of $27,362 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $25,727. That is a strong return on a $27,362 median debt. Marywood University admits about 61% of applicants.
Lancaster Bible College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,990 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $28,507. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Lancaster Bible College generally make around $35,130. Set against $28,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #25 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. Students from in state pay about $13,570 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $28,500. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $25,269. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for visual & performing arts this year:
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 116 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
