If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in visual & performing arts, no school beat John C Calhoun State Community College this year. Set in the city of Tanner, John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,990. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,839. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of John C Calhoun State Community College earn a median of $42,916 early in their careers. Set against $13,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus earned it the #2 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $11,769. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus earn a median of $40,090 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Alabama earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,075 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $34,211. Set against $24,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Troy University one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, while out-of-state students pay about $20,352. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Troy University generally make around $26,917. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,146. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville generally make around $40,017. That is a strong return on a $13,146 median debt.
Alabama State University landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Alabama State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,248, while out-of-state students pay about $19,576. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $31,000. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $17,997. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Jacksonville State University placed #7 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,439. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Jacksonville State University generally make around $30,447. Set against $26,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Auburn University At Montgomery landed the #8 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,700, compared with $20,668 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $18,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of South Alabama earned the #9 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. In-state tuition and fees average $10,116, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,371 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $24,169. Set against $25,371 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #10 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $25,104. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $29,752. That is a strong return on a $25,104 median debt. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Montevallo landed the #11 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the town of Montevallo, University Of Montevallo is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,948, compared with $26,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Montevallo generally make around $25,150. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Spring Hill College earned the #12 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Spring Hill College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mobile. Students from in state pay about $24,054 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,500. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville placed #13 among the best values for visual & performing arts. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Huntsville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,132, while out-of-state students pay about $26,408. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Alabama At Huntsville earn a median of $35,123 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mobile ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. University Of Mobile is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mobile. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,910. Students borrow a median of $30,127 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Mobile generally make around $50,507. Set against $30,127 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama came in at #15 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,821 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $29,568 early in their careers. Set against $25,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Auburn University landed the #16 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,435. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $43,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.
Samford University placed #17 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,150. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $41,323. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
