Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Seminole State College Of Florida the best value for a degree in visual & performing arts in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,613 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $35,284. That is a strong return on a $19,613 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Florida State College At Jacksonville, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $19,139. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Students borrow a median of $17,983 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $30,629 early in their careers. Set against $17,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Berea College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $20,036. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Hinds Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,385. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $34,003 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,385 median debt.
University Of Florida landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,088 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #7 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $30,979 early in their careers. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College came in at #8 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Petersburg College earned the #9 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. That is a strong return on a $24,385 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College placed #10 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Haywood Community College earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,580, compared with $8,724 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Haywood Community College generally make around $35,767.
Chattahoochee Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $44,673. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Wilkes Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #14 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,518 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $22,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Forsyth Technical Community College earned the #15 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,276, with out-of-state students paying around $6,884. Students borrow a median of $16,374 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $29,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne Community College landed the #16 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Georgia Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #18 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College came in at #19 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $27,447 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Atlanta Technical College landed the #20 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,382, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,655 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Atlanta Technical College generally make around $35,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins came in at #21 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public school located in the city of Warner Robins. In-state tuition and fees average $3,448, compared with $6,016 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,693 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins generally make around $39,765. That is a strong return on a $11,693 median debt.
Virginia Western Community College came in at #22 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $31,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College placed #23 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $44,082. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hillsborough Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,142. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $44,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tri County Technical College came in at #25 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pendleton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,448, while out-of-state students pay about $12,007. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,787 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Tri County Technical College earn a median of $43,438 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,787 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for visual & performing arts this year:
Narrow Visual & Performing Arts Schools by State
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 · 530 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 143 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.
