[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 40 schools to find the best return on investment for visual & performing arts students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Chattahoochee Technical College the best value for a degree in visual & performing arts in Georgia. 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, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $44,673. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. 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. Set against $10,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
Atlanta Technical College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,382, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $17,655. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $35,441. That is a strong return on a $17,655 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at West Georgia Technical College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $39,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gwinnett Technical College placed #6 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,524 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,092. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,997 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $32,851. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Crescent Technical College earned the #7 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,516, while out-of-state students pay about $6,084. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $17,619. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Georgia Technical College landed the #8 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Clarkesville, North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,330, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Students borrow a median of $12,279 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of North Georgia Technical College earn a median of $34,133 early in their careers. Set against $12,279 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Savannah Technical College placed #9 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,330 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,898. Students borrow a median of $12,843 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Savannah Technical College generally make around $37,386. Set against $12,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Albany Technical College placed #10 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,932. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,321. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $35,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Athens Technical College landed the #11 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Athens, Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,958 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Athens Technical College generally make around $41,631. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins landed the #12 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,448, while out-of-state students pay about $6,016. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $11,693. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $39,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lanier Technical College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,980, compared with $7,190 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,278 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Lanier Technical College generally make around $37,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Georgia earned the #14 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $23,641. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta Technical College landed the #15 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,282 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,492. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Augusta Technical College generally make around $41,892. That is a strong return on a $11,400 median debt.
University Of Georgia placed #16 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,608 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $25,334. Set against $21,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Valdosta State University earned the #17 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,290. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $21,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Savannah State University placed #18 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,750, with out-of-state students paying around $19,043. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $46,831. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $34,489. Set against $46,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of West Georgia ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of West Georgia generally make around $23,980. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Clayton State University came in at #20 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,180, with out-of-state students paying around $16,532. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,896. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Clayton State University generally make around $15,952. That is a strong return on a $27,896 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Students borrow a median of $24,107 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $32,836. That is a strong return on a $24,107 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Columbus State University came in at #22 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,751. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $21,604 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Piedmont Technical College came in at #23 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Georgia Piedmont Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Clarkston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,404, compared with $5,954 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,716 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $42,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Augusta University landed the #24 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,414 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,741. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $16,943. That is a strong return on a $27,741 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Georgia Southern University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,827 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $25,139. Set against $27,827 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s visual & performing arts value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.
