If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among visual & performing arts schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,526 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $30,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Central Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $43,218. That is a strong return on a $10,277 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at University Of Minnesota Morris, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,526, with out-of-state students paying around $16,710. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,797 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Morris generally make around $44,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
St Charles Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kirkwood Community College earned it the #5 place for visual & performing arts. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,519. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $32,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Iowa Tech Community College placed #6 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,742 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Community College Area landed the #7 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $44,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Louis Community College came in at #8 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Students borrow a median of $11,424 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $25,929 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Century College placed #9 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $15,000. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $41,814. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bismarck State College came in at #10 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. In-state tuition and fees average $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $13,340 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Bismarck State College earn a median of $61,364 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Hennepin Community College placed #11 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,061. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $21,241. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $52,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dakota County Technical College came in at #12 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rosemount. In-state tuition and fees average $6,679. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,474. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Dakota County Technical College earn a median of $50,429 early in their careers. Set against $13,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,135. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,135 median debt.
Hennepin Technical College came in at #14 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,940. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $17,887. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College generally make around $52,059. Set against $17,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson College earned the #15 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $13,664 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $47,560. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #16 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,625. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $25,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truman State University landed the #17 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $15,998 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
State Fair Community College came in at #18 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,416. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,328 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of State Fair Community College earn a median of $39,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,328 median debt.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College placed #19 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,908. Students borrow a median of $18,197 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $42,972. That is a strong return on a $18,197 median debt.
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #20 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $28,837 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $33,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Missouri Southern State University came in at #21 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Students borrow a median of $22,241 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $29,309. Set against $22,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Hawkeye Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $17,001. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $41,902. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Hays State University landed the #23 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $22,937. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $31,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Washburn University placed #24 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $21,175. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Set against $21,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #25 among the best values for visual & performing arts. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,979 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $31,020 early in their careers. Set against $23,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s visual & performing arts value ranking:
Narrow Visual & Performing Arts Schools by State
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 · 222 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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.
