Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Pima Community College earned the #1 spot for value among visual & performing arts schools in Arizona. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,541. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $25,344 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,541 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Yavapai College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,948, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,087. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $52,087. That is a strong return on a $14,087 median debt.
Central Arizona College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rio Salado College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,679. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Mohave Community College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,208, while out-of-state students pay about $7,968. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,766. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Mohave Community College generally make around $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona Western College landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $44,895.
Phoenix College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $51,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az came in at #8 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $51,483. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Estrella Mountain Community College earned the #9 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $21,752 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Mountain Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,825 ten years after entry.
Chandler Gilbert Community College earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,447 median debt.
Gateway Community College Phoenix earned the #12 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,736 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $50,350. Set against $15,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa Community College landed the #13 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $54,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona State University earned the #14 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $21,625. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $31,007. That is a strong return on a $21,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Paradise Valley Community College placed #15 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,204 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Scottsdale Community College earned the #16 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $11,187 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $38,676. Set against $11,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Arizona University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $20,751 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $30,267. That is a strong return on a $20,751 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $18,158. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $29,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Sessions College For Professional Design ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Sessions College For Professional Design is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $7,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,199 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $19,275.
University Of Advancing Technology landed the #20 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. University Of Advancing Technology is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,800. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,966 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Advancing Technology generally make around $30,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Bryan University Los Angeles landed the #21 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Bryan University Los Angeles is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,219. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,400. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Bryan University Los Angeles earn a median of $31,425 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Canyon University earned the #22 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Students borrow a median of $26,708 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $35,554. That is a strong return on a $26,708 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
