If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Community College Of Rhode Island earned the #1 spot for value among visual & performing arts schools in the New England Region. Located in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,250. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Community College Of Rhode Island earn a median of $18,544 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Williams College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $34,560. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex Community College Bedford earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,755 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $48,427. That is a strong return on a $12,755 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Bristol Community College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fall River. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,482 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $37,897. That is a strong return on a $9,482 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Massachusetts Bay Community College earned it the #5 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,856, compared with $10,800 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,008 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $44,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harvard University came in at #6 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $115,516. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Bunker Hill Community College came in at #7 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Bunker Hill Community College is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $6,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,893 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Bunker Hill Community College earn a median of $51,782 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Massasoit Community College earned the #8 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,376, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,894 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $42,938. Set against $10,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rhode Island College landed the #9 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,038 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $28,514 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Springfield Technical Community College placed #10 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,904, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,707. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $42,457. That is a strong return on a $9,707 median debt.
Amherst College came in at #11 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,480. Students borrow a median of $15,398 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $59,271 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Capital Community College placed #12 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $22,100. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
Bridgewater State University placed #13 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $29,595. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Central Connecticut State University placed #14 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. Students from in state pay about $13,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Students borrow a median of $22,641 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $34,930. That is a strong return on a $22,641 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Southern Maine placed #15 among the best values for visual & performing arts. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,703 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $18,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Fitchburg State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $29,191. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Holyoke Community College placed #17 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,988, compared with $10,932 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,763 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $43,423 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,763 median debt.
Framingham State University landed the #18 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $28,843 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned the #19 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,283. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $36,657 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Community College Of Vermont placed #20 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the rural area of Montpelier, Community College Of Vermont is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,640. Students borrow a median of $12,125 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Community College Of Vermont earn a median of $34,182 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #21 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $36,980. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Salem State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $26,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Bowdoin College earned the #23 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,832. Students borrow a median of $20,658 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $58,938. Set against $20,658 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 7%.
Westfield State University placed #24 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $33,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine placed #25 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,050 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $47,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in visual & performing arts:
Narrow Visual & Performing Arts Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 143 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
