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 Central Piedmont Community College, our #1 best value for visual & performing arts in North Carolina. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $30,979 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Fayetteville Technical Community College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Haywood Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,580 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,724. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Haywood Community College generally make around $35,767.
Wilkes Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $36,341. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Forsyth Technical Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,276, with out-of-state students paying around $6,884. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,374 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $29,715. Set against $16,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $5,500. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Wake Technical Community College placed #7 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,254 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,414. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $32,153 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,414 median debt.
Lenoir Community College landed the #8 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,578, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Students borrow a median of $9,984 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Lenoir Community College earn a median of $38,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,064, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,867 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $34,351 early in their careers. Set against $10,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cape Fear Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,748, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cape Fear Community College earn a median of $42,889 early in their careers. Set against $12,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mitchell Community College placed #11 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Mitchell Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Statesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,651, with out-of-state students paying around $8,795. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $6,313 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Mitchell Community College earn a median of $40,450 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #12 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,008 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $29,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Isothermal Community College placed #13 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Spindale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,030, compared with $6,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $6,625. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $47,389. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pitt Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Pitt Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Winterville. Students from in state pay about $3,871 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,087 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $19,741. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Pitt Community College generally make around $43,022. That is a strong return on a $19,741 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #15 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $25,630 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $22,841. That is a strong return on a $25,630 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Randolph Community College landed the #16 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the town of Asheboro, Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,416, with out-of-state students paying around $8,176. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Randolph Community College generally make around $32,198.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earned the #17 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,477 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,211. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $23,752. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earn a median of $22,275 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,752 median debt. Roughly 30% of applicants are accepted.
Elizabeth City State University placed #18 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,536, while out-of-state students pay about $10,536. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,992 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Elizabeth City State University generally make around $28,300. That is a strong return on a $26,992 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Catawba Valley Community College came in at #19 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,427 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,803 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,842. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Catawba Valley Community College generally make around $38,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $40,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Western Carolina University came in at #21 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Students borrow a median of $27,002 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $25,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville landed the #22 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,501 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,849. Students borrow a median of $23,926 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $23,493. That is a strong return on a $23,926 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Fayetteville State University landed the #23 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $4,353 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,497 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $16,454. Set against $27,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #24 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $29,182 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $19,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #25 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,227 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $29,239 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in visual & performing arts:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 76 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
