If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Chattahoochee Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among visual & performing arts schools in Georgia. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $44,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Atlanta Technical College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,382, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $17,655. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Wiregrass Georgia Technical College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
West Georgia Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,651. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,448, while out-of-state students pay about $6,016. Students borrow a median of $11,693 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earn a median of $39,765 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Crescent Technical College landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value 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. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $45,062. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Albany Technical College earned the #7 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,364, compared with $5,932 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,321 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $35,895. That is a strong return on a $16,321 median debt.
North Georgia Technical College earned the #8 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarkesville. Students from in state pay about $3,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,898 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,279 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $34,133. Set against $12,279 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lanier Technical College landed the #9 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,980, compared with $7,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,278 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Lanier Technical College earn a median of $37,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Athens Technical College came in at #10 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,958. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Athens Technical College earn a median of $41,631 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Savannah Technical College came in at #11 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,330, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,843 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $37,386. That is a strong return on a $12,843 median debt.
University Of North Georgia landed the #12 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $22,375. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $23,721. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,282, 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.
Georgia Piedmont Technical College came in at #14 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Clarkston, Georgia Piedmont Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,404, compared with $5,954 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $15,716. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Georgia Piedmont Technical College generally make around $42,073. That is a strong return on a $15,716 median debt.
Young Harris College landed the #15 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Young Harris, Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,305. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,689. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,195. That is a strong return on a $24,689 median debt. Young Harris College admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #16 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $21,608 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $25,521 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Gwinnett Technical College landed the #17 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,524, while out-of-state students pay about $6,092. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,997 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Gwinnett Technical College generally make around $32,851. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Gwinnett College placed #18 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,532, compared with $13,844 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,280 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Georgia Gwinnett College earn a median of $55,992 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Valdosta State University came in at #19 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. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $21,255. Set against $27,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Columbus State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,898, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Students borrow a median of $27,751 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $21,657. Set against $27,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Clayton State University earned the #21 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Morrow. Students from in state pay about $5,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,532 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,896. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $15,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Georgia State University earned the #22 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,038 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,390. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,976 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Middle Georgia State University generally make around $48,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Augusta University came in at #23 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,741. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $16,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of West Georgia earned the #24 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $22,910 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University landed the #25 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,459. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $24,617 early in their careers. Set against $26,459 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for visual & performing arts this year:
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 · 68 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
