Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in visual & performing arts, no school beat St Charles Community College this year. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Louis Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. 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, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College generally make around $25,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Truman State University one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $15,998. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Missouri Southern State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $22,241. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $29,309. Set against $22,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Missouri St Louis one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $28,837. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $33,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Jefferson College landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $13,664 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $47,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.
State Fair Community College earned the #7 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $7,416. Students borrow a median of $15,328 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of State Fair Community College earn a median of $39,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #8 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $31,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Missouri Western State University came in at #9 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Students borrow a median of $24,362 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $37,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #10 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,179 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $28,303. That is a strong return on a $19,179 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
East Central College earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. East Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Union. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,272, while out-of-state students pay about $7,680. Students borrow a median of $12,062 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $37,925. That is a strong return on a $12,062 median debt.
Park University earned the #12 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,116. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $46,340. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #13 for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,329 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $29,206 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,329 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #14 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $42,939. Set against $23,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #15 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,648. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $24,897. That is a strong return on a $26,648 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Fontbonne University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Fontbonne University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,976. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $33,503. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Fontbonne University generally make around $46,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lindenwood University came in at #17 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $25,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #18 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,854. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $32,013. Set against $24,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Evangel University placed #19 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,876 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $42,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Drury University landed the #20 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,745. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,641. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Drury University earn a median of $37,267 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #21 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,089 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $33,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Stevens Institute Of Business And Arts landed the #22 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Stevens Institute Of Business And Arts is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,332. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $29,058. Stevens Institute Of Business And Arts admits about 100% of applicants.
Stephens College landed the #23 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Stephens College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,300. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Stephens College generally make around $16,476. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,166. Students borrow a median of $24,621 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $39,623 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,621 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Webster University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Webster University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $31,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,583 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Webster University earn a median of $16,195 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for visual & performing arts this year:
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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
