Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Chattanooga State Community College, our #1 best value for visual & performing arts in Tennessee. Set in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,681 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $20,165. Set against $11,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwest Tennessee Community College earned it the #2 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,766, while out-of-state students pay about $17,750. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,406 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Southwest Tennessee Community College earn a median of $43,592 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,406 median debt.
Pellissippi State Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $8,951. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $43,816. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt.
The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $25,660 early in their careers. Set against $22,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #5 makes Middle Tennessee State University one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $22,385 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $27,700. Set against $22,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Tennessee State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $23,868. Set against $29,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned the #7 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $25,000. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $25,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University came in at #8 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,185. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $31,608 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Volunteer State Community College came in at #9 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gallatin. Students from in state pay about $4,756 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,740. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,462. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Volunteer State Community College generally make around $40,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $31,300. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,962. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $52,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Memphis earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $24,212 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $31,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Austin Peay State University came in at #12 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $28,694. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
East Tennessee State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $22,593. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $26,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,762 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $30,244. That is a strong return on a $24,762 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Vanderbilt University placed #15 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $77,997. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Cumberland University came in at #16 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,840. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $21,902. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $47,696. Set against $21,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cumberland University admits about 67% of applicants.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Crump came in at #17 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Crump is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Crump. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $6,000. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $30,553. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Dickson ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Dickson is a small public school located in the rural area of Dickson. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $11,000. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Dickson earn a median of $35,697 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Morristown earned the #19 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Morristown, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Morristown is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Morristown earn a median of $30,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Memphis placed #20 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Memphis is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Memphis. Students borrow a median of $12,073 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $28,814. That is a strong return on a $12,073 median debt.
Freed Hardeman University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,620. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,479 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $54,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Freed Hardeman University admits about 60% of applicants.
Lee University came in at #22 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Students borrow a median of $28,646 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Lee University earn a median of $26,598 early in their careers. Set against $28,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Southern Adventist University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,300. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $25,498. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Southern Adventist University generally make around $61,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Sae Institute Of Technology Nashville ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Sae Institute Of Technology Nashville is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $15,828. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $17,881. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lipscomb University placed #25 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $19,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s visual & performing arts value ranking:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
