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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts in Illinois

89 Ranked Colleges
$30,800 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2021-2022, 150,273 visual & performing arts students received their degree, making the major the 10th most popular in the country. In , visual & performing arts graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $26,820 and had an average of $26,756 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 5,553 visual & performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,442 and $28,837 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois” ranking, we looked at 89 colleges that offer a degree in visual & performing arts. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in visual & performing arts.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois visual & performing arts students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts in Illinois

1
The Academy crest
American Academy of Art
Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 89 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, American Academy of Art landed the #1 spot on the list. American Academy of Art is a private for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at The Academy

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois. School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 787 ’s visual & performing arts degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at School of the Art Institute of Chicago

3
Columbia crest
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 89 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia College Chicago landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 828 degrees to qualified ’s visual & performing arts students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Columbia

4
Millikin crest
Millikin University
Decatur, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Millikin University. The school came in at #4 for the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois. Millikin is a small school located in Decatur, Illinois that handed out 97 ’s visual & performing arts degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Millikin University

5
Principia crest
Principia College
Elsah, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Principia College. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois. Principia College is located in Elsah, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 10 ’s visual & performing arts degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Principia College

6
Roosevelt crest
Roosevelt University
Chicago, Illinois

Roosevelt University ranked #6 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 116 degrees to qualified ’s visual & performing arts students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Roosevelt University Visual & Performing Arts Report

7
Eureka College crest
Eureka College
Eureka, Illinois

Eureka College ranked #7 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois list. Eureka College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Eureka, Illinois. It awarded 2 ’s visual & performing arts degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Eureka College Visual & Performing Arts Report

8
North Central crest
North Central College
Naperville, Illinois

North Central College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Naperville, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 49 diplomas to qualified ’s visual & performing arts students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full North Central Visual & Performing Arts Report

9
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, DePaul University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois list. DePaul University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 519 ’s visual & performing arts degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full DePaul Visual & Performing Arts Report

10
Greenville crest
Greenville University
Greenville, Illinois

Greenville University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking. Greenville University is located in Greenville, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 14 ’s visual & performing arts degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Greenville University Visual & Performing Arts Report

11
Knox crest
Knox College
Galesburg, Illinois

Knox College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Galesburg, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 21 degrees to qualified ’s visual & performing arts students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Knox Visual & Performing Arts Report

12
13
Illinois Wesleyan crest
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Illinois Wesleyan University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois list. Illinois Wesleyan is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bloomington, Illinois. It awarded 34 ’s visual & performing arts degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Illinois Wesleyan University Visual & Performing Arts Report

14
Wheaton College Illinois crest
Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois ranked #14 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois list. Wheaton College Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wheaton, Illinois. It awarded 38 ’s visual & performing arts degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Wheaton College Illinois

15
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #15. Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 118 ’s visual & performing arts degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full EIU Visual & Performing Arts Report

16
Augustana crest
Augustana College
Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois list. Augustana is located in Rock Island, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 34 ’s visual & performing arts degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Augustana

17
Bradley crest
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking. Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Peoria, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 90 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Bradley Visual & Performing Arts Report

18

Illinois State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 273 ’s visual & performing arts degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Illinois State

19
Judson crest
Judson University
Elgin, Illinois

Judson University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #19. Judson is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Elgin, Illinois. It awarded 15 ’s visual & performing arts degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Judson Visual & Performing Arts Report

20
Blackburn crest
Blackburn College
Carlinville, Illinois

Blackburn College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking. Blackburn College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Carlinville, Illinois. It awarded 6 ’s visual & performing arts degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Blackburn College

21
Monmouth crest
Monmouth College
Monmouth, Illinois

Monmouth College ranked #21 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois list. Located in Monmouth, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified ’s visual & performing arts students in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Monmouth College Visual & Performing Arts Report

22
Elmhurst crest
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking. Elmhurst is a small school located in Elmhurst, Illinois that handed out 73 ’s visual & performing arts degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Elmhurst

23
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University ranked #23 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois list. Northwestern is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 422 ’s visual & performing arts degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 99%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Northwestern University

24

Northern Illinois University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual & performing arts degrees to 222 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University

25
Lake Forest crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #25, Lake Forest College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois list. Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 21 ’s visual & performing arts degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full Lake Forest Visual & Performing Arts Report

Notes and References

References

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