Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Hinds Community College the best value for a degree in visual & performing arts in Mississippi. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $34,003 early in their careers. Set against $16,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Mississippi Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,095, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,422 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $34,012. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Holmes Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,710, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $13,191 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $32,145. That is a strong return on a $13,191 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
Northwest Mississippi Community College landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,740. Students borrow a median of $9,990 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Northwest Mississippi Community College generally make around $35,001. That is a strong return on a $9,990 median debt.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #7 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $20,562. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $32,342. Set against $20,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi University For Women ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,492 in tuition and fees. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,509 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Mississippi University For Women generally make around $42,756. Set against $24,509 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi University For Women admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #9 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $26,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University landed the #10 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $24,752. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Jackson State University earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,965, while out-of-state students pay about $11,965. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $23,555. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Jackson State University admits about 93% of applicants.
Mississippi College placed #12 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,500 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $25,510. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $32,020. That is a strong return on a $25,510 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Belhaven University landed the #13 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Belhaven University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,250. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $19,507. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
