[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.
College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value visual & performing arts schools.
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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.
Leading the list is Northwest Arkansas Community College, our #1 best value for visual & performing arts in Arkansas. Located in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,342 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,238 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,479 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Northwest Arkansas Community College earn a median of $40,671 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,479 median debt.
Arkansas State University Beebe is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,336 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,350 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Arkansas State University Beebe earn a median of $30,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arkansas State University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $23,399. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $35,970 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff earned it the #4 place for visual & performing arts. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pine Bluff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,375, with out-of-state students paying around $17,955. Students borrow a median of $26,267 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff earn a median of $35,490 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,267 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at National Park Community College earned it the #5 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,600, with out-of-state students paying around $7,280. Students borrow a median of $14,162 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from National Park Community College generally make around $42,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas Tech University came in at #6 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Students borrow a median of $28,950 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $20,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello landed the #7 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,292, with out-of-state students paying around $14,857. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $15,611. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Arkansas At Monticello earn a median of $41,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,960, compared with $15,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $25,559. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus generally make around $22,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock earned the #9 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Little Rock, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,911 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,721 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,402 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Arkansas At Little Rock earn a median of $30,733 early in their careers. Set against $25,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock admits about 59% of applicants.
University Of Central Arkansas landed the #10 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,523 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,023. Students borrow a median of $27,495 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Central Arkansas earn a median of $34,469 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.
Henderson State University came in at #11 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Arkadelphia, Henderson State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,244, while out-of-state students pay about $10,620. Students borrow a median of $23,234 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Henderson State University generally make around $40,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas landed the #12 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,859 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $32,322 early in their careers. Set against $24,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Harding University earned the #13 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Searcy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,962. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,715. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Harding University generally make around $35,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
John Brown University landed the #14 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Siloam Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,756. Students borrow a median of $20,850 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $24,893. That is a strong return on a $20,850 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Ouachita Baptist University earned the #15 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Ouachita Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Arkadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,500. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Ouachita Baptist University earn a median of $18,350 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ouachita Baptist University admits about 68% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
