[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 38 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value visual & performing arts schools.
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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 Trident Technical College, our #1 best value for visual & performing arts in South Carolina. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $18,116. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Horry Georgetown Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $22,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tri County Technical College earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Pendleton, Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,448, while out-of-state students pay about $12,007. Students borrow a median of $15,787 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $43,438. Set against $15,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Spartanburg Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,071, compared with $10,135 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,148 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Spartanburg Community College earn a median of $41,598 early in their careers. Set against $10,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Piedmont Technical College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,775, with out-of-state students paying around $6,923. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $17,652. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Piedmont Technical College generally make around $36,577. That is a strong return on a $17,652 median debt.
Francis Marion University earned the #6 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,170, while out-of-state students pay about $21,544. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $30,577. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Francis Marion University generally make around $41,456. Set against $30,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of South Carolina Upstate earned the #7 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,588, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $35,203 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Aiken ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,760, while out-of-state students pay about $21,218. Students borrow a median of $23,567 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $19,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Coastal Carolina University earned the #9 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,133 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $21,762 early in their careers. Set against $26,133 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of South Carolina Beaufort came in at #10 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Bluffton, University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,730, with out-of-state students paying around $21,776. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,971. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Beaufort generally make around $38,254. That is a strong return on a $27,971 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Lander University landed the #11 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,700, with out-of-state students paying around $21,300. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,937 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $21,605. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lander University admits about 81% of applicants.
Winthrop University earned the #12 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,678, with out-of-state students paying around $28,676. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,974 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Winthrop University earn a median of $25,433 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,974 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
College Of Charleston earned the #13 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $12,978 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $23,280. Set against $23,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
Converse College landed the #14 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Spartanburg, Converse College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,240. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,715 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $38,940. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Bob Jones University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,892 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $15,750. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Bob Jones University generally make around $36,424. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Charleston Southern University came in at #16 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,520 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Charleston Southern University generally make around $46,288. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Clemson University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,010. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $46,632. That is a strong return on a $26,010 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #18 for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Students borrow a median of $26,935 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $34,964. That is a strong return on a $26,935 median debt. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants.
Anderson University Sc placed #19 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,970. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,223 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Anderson University Sc earn a median of $25,629 early in their careers. Set against $26,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Anderson University Sc admits about 55% of applicants.
Furman University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Greenville, Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,770. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $20,830. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Furman University generally make around $36,520. That is a strong return on a $20,830 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
