Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in visual & performing arts, no school beat University Of Florida Online this year. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Seminole State College Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,613 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $35,284 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State College At Jacksonville earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Petersburg College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. 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. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #5 place for visual & performing arts. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $17,088. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $27,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Miami Dade College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,447. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College placed #7 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Students borrow a median of $16,142 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $44,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College came in at #8 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $44,082 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #9 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,453 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $26,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Daytona State College placed #10 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,000. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $43,320 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of West Florida ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $23,845. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,120. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $24,743 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,120 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #13 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,612 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $29,030 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Palm Beach State College came in at #14 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,050, compared with $10,910 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,518 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $32,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #15 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $22,980 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $22,967. That is a strong return on a $22,980 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Central Florida landed the #16 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,288 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $26,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of North Florida came in at #17 for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $22,702. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $27,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Florida State University earned the #18 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $22,194 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $27,791. Set against $22,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Valencia College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $9,576. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,812. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Valencia College generally make around $21,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
William T Mcfatter Technical College landed the #20 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Davie, William T Mcfatter Technical College is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from William T Mcfatter Technical College generally make around $28,512. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University landed the #21 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,785, with out-of-state students paying around $17,725. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,240 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earn a median of $21,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,240 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Broward College placed #22 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,830, compared with $8,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,110 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Broward College earn a median of $51,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rasmussen College Florida earned the #23 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Rasmussen College Florida is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Ocala. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,256. Students borrow a median of $32,080 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Rasmussen College Florida generally make around $32,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stetson University landed the #24 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of DeLand. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,410. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,554. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Stetson University earn a median of $16,033 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Jacksonville University landed the #25 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,150. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $25,000. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Jacksonville University earn a median of $21,842 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s visual & performing arts value ranking:
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 · 78 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
