[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual & performing arts students.
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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.
Kirkwood Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools in Iowa. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,519. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $32,116. Set against $10,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Western Iowa Tech Community College, which ranked #2. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $11,886. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $35,742. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Iowa Central Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,624. That is a strong return on a $16,135 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hawkeye Community College earned it the #4 place for visual & performing arts. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $17,001. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $41,902 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot 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, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,625. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $25,265 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #6 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,025 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $30,493. Set against $23,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Iowa State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $36,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Maharishi University Of Management came in at #8 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,530 in tuition and fees. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $32,294. Maharishi University Of Management admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Iowa placed #9 among the best values for visual & performing arts. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $34,992 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Upper Iowa University landed the #10 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,475. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $39,780 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $31,122. That is a strong return on a $39,780 median debt. Upper Iowa University admits about 96% of applicants.
Luther College came in at #11 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,120. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Luther College generally make around $45,367. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell College placed #12 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Mount Vernon. Students from in state pay about $52,660 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cornell College earn a median of $35,545 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Cornell College admits about 80% of applicants.
Drake University earned the #13 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. In-state tuition and fees average $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $19,613. Set against $22,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 13 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.
