[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual & performing arts students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Keene State College the best value for a degree in visual & performing arts in New Hampshire. Located in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,784, compared with $26,840 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,446 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $32,167 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,446 median debt. Keene State College admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Manchester Community College Nh earned it the #2 place for visual & performing arts. Manchester Community College Nh is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Manchester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,090, with out-of-state students paying around $15,340. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,063 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Plymouth State University earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,626, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Plymouth State University generally make around $28,637. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earned it the #4 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $29,239 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Dartmouth College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $13,663 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $30,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
New England College landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Henniker, New England College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,474. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $35,038 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of New England College earn a median of $68,950 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,038 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Southern New Hampshire University earned the #7 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $17,200 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $31,830. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $35,484. Set against $31,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
