[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.
College Factual analyzed 74 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value visual & performing arts schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Snow College tops our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado Mountain College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,953. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $48,694 early in their careers. Set against $12,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,860. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $24,196. That is a strong return on a $13,860 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salt Lake Community College earned it the #4 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Students borrow a median of $10,766 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $34,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #5 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,400 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $29,541 early in their careers. Set against $15,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Aurora landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $20,750. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Community College Of Aurora earn a median of $20,533 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest College earned the #7 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Northwest College is a small public school located in the town of Powell. Students from in state pay about $4,962 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,262 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Northwest College generally make around $40,014. That is a strong return on a $12,996 median debt.
Red Rocks Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,859 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,471. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $76,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,471 median debt.
Aims Community College came in at #9 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,258, while out-of-state students pay about $11,786. Students borrow a median of $11,199 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Aims Community College generally make around $45,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Latter Day Saints Business College earned the #10 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,004. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,630 ten years after entry.
Weber State University earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $21,851. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $40,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arapahoe Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,434, with out-of-state students paying around $17,034. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Arapahoe Community College earn a median of $32,100 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Denver ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,658 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,830 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Community College Of Denver generally make around $45,202. That is a strong return on a $18,830 median debt.
Pikes Peak Community College landed the #14 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,510, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Students borrow a median of $16,066 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $41,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Front Range Community College placed #15 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,663, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $21,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wyoming came in at #16 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $18,225. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $26,735. That is a strong return on a $18,225 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Southern Utah University landed the #17 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,284 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,335. That is a strong return on a $19,284 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
North Idaho College came in at #18 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,396, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $49,489. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Utah ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $19,061 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $35,351. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University landed the #20 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $15,107 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $28,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Pickens Technical College came in at #21 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Aurora, Pickens Technical College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,140, compared with $9,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,250. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $35,622. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
Emily Griffith Technical College placed #22 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Emily Griffith Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Denver. Students borrow a median of $9,725 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Emily Griffith Technical College generally make around $42,412. That is a strong return on a $9,725 median debt.
University Of Idaho earned the #23 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,590 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $32,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Pueblo landed the #24 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,720 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,325 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $49,098. Set against $25,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #25 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,502 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,202. Set against $14,502 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
