[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 58 schools to find the best return on investment for visual & performing arts students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Delaware County Community College the best value for a degree in visual & performing arts in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,866 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. Set against $14,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,690, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,641 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Montgomery County Community College earn a median of $19,024 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,641 median debt.
Bucks County Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,068. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. That is a strong return on a $13,068 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Lehigh Carbon Community College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Students borrow a median of $14,450 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $27,896. That is a strong return on a $14,450 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Northampton County Area Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $19,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania placed #6 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $30,847. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #7 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,407 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $35,700. That is a strong return on a $27,407 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Community College Of Allegheny County ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $47,420 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reading Area Community College placed #9 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,480, while out-of-state students pay about $12,510. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $13,979 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Reading Area Community College earn a median of $49,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,979 median debt.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned the #10 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Students borrow a median of $17,496 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $41,382 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,496 median debt.
Community College Of Philadelphia earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,926. 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.
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology earned the #12 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Harrisburg. Students from in state pay about $24,400 in tuition and fees. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $28,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology generally make around $35,098. That is a strong return on a $28,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
La Salle University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,462 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $54,618 early in their careers. Set against $25,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
York College Pennsylvania ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,588. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,537. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $30,567. Set against $26,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. York College Pennsylvania admits about 74% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University landed the #15 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $37,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,945 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University World Campus generally make around $25,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #17 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,045. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $18,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Mercyhurst College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. Students from in state pay about $45,770 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Mercyhurst College earn a median of $28,267 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mercyhurst College admits about 81% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #19 for value in visual & performing arts 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, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Students borrow a median of $27,669 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $33,480. Set against $27,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #20 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $26,293. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #21 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $25,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
Albright College came in at #22 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,082. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $25,225. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
La Roche College earned the #23 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Pittsburgh, La Roche College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,052. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,078. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $54,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Swarthmore College landed the #24 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $66,971. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Wilson College earned the #25 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Chambersburg, Wilson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,100. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $34,814 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Wilson College earn a median of $58,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wilson College admits about 92% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for visual & performing arts this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 58 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.
