[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 52 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual & performing arts students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is University Of Minnesota Morris, our #1 best value for visual & performing arts in Minnesota. University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public school located in the town of Morris. Students from in state pay about $14,526 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,710. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,797 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $44,479. That is a strong return on a $19,797 median debt. University Of Minnesota Morris admits about 75% of applicants.
Century College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Century College generally make around $41,814. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Hennepin Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #3 spot this year. North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. In-state tuition and fees average $5,061. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $21,241. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from North Hennepin Community College generally make around $52,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hennepin Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. Students borrow a median of $17,887 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $52,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dakota County Technical College earned it the #5 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,679. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $13,474 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $50,429. Set against $13,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,908. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,197 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $42,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Anoka Ramsey Community College landed the #7 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Coon Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,682. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $22,593. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $44,293. That is a strong return on a $22,593 median debt.
Alexandria Technical And Community College came in at #8 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alexandria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,236. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,000. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Alexandria Technical And Community College earn a median of $31,830 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College landed the #9 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,161. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $17,439. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $39,754. That is a strong return on a $17,439 median debt.
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #10 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,389 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $20,291. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $47,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Lakes College Brainerd landed the #11 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,249. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,479 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Central Lakes College Brainerd earn a median of $44,264 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,479 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #12 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $21,837 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $29,389. Set against $21,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Saint Cloud State University placed #13 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $31,000. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $32,726. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Winona State University placed #14 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,551 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $53,109 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,551 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Moorhead placed #15 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,692. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $32,517. That is a strong return on a $26,692 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,111 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $29,453 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #17 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,131. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $34,639 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,131 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Metropolitan State University landed the #18 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,822 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $54,195. Set against $30,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Rasmussen College Minnesota placed #19 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit school located in the city of St. Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $12,199. Students borrow a median of $32,080 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $32,364. Set against $32,080 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Olaf College earned the #20 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $23,540. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $25,355. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Minnesota earned the #21 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,920. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $23,505. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Northwestern College Minnesota generally make around $26,086. That is a strong return on a $23,505 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia College At Moorhead earned the #22 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,170. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Concordia College At Moorhead generally make around $29,986. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Concordia College At Moorhead admits about 63% of applicants.
Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #23 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,076 in tuition and fees. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,197 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College generally make around $28,601. Set against $26,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gustavus Adolphus College admits about 61% of applicants.
Minneapolis College Of Art And Design ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,484. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $28,868. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Minneapolis College Of Art And Design generally make around $22,144. That is a strong return on a $28,868 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Dunwoody College Of Technology placed #25 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,477 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $18,973. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $40,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s visual & performing arts value ranking:
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 · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
