If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in visual & performing arts, no school beat Western Iowa Tech Community College this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,886 in student loans. 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.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,519 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $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 Iowa Central Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $39,624. That is a strong return on a $16,135 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,625. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $25,265. That is a strong return on a $13,625 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,025 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $30,592. Set against $23,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Hawkeye Community College ranked #6 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $41,902. That is a strong return on a $17,001 median debt.
Iowa State University earned the #7 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $36,634. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Maharishi University Of Management ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,530. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $32,294. Maharishi University Of Management admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Iowa landed the #9 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $27,174 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $35,045. That is a strong return on a $27,174 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Upper Iowa University came in at #10 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,475. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $39,780. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Upper Iowa University earn a median of $31,122 early in their careers. Set against $39,780 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Upper Iowa University admits about 96% of applicants.
Luther College earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,120. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Luther College earn a median of $45,367 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Drake University came in at #12 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $19,613. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
