by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual looked at 130 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 20,063 associate degrees in visual & performing arts to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
Your choice of visual & performing arts for getting your associate degree school matters. Important measures of a quality visual & performing arts program can vary widely even among the top schools. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:
The overall quality of a associate degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their associate degree from the school. After all, your associate degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for visual & performing arts students working on their associate degree.
When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools list to help you make the college decision.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in visual & performing arts. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
The New School is a great option for students pursuing an associate degree in visual & performing arts. New School University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from The New School
American Musical and Dramatic Academy is a wonderful option for students interested in an associate degree in visual & performing arts. American Musical and Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from American Musical and Dramatic Academy
It is difficult to beat FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles if you wish to pursue an associate degree in visual & performing arts. FIDM Los Angeles is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Los Angeles.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles
John Tyler Community College is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting an associate degree in visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from John Tyler Community College
Located in the large city of New York, FIT SUNY is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Fashion Institute of Technology
American Academy of Dramatic Arts - New York is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from American Academy of Dramatic Arts - New York
Located in the large city of Madison, Madison College is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Madison Area Technical College
Located in the large city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Pratt Institute - Main
Austin Community College District is a very large public college located in the city of Austin.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Austin Community College District
Collin County Community College District is a fairly large public college located in the medium-sized suburb of McKinney.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Collin County Community College District
Located in the small city of Orem, UVU is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Utah Valley University
American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Los Angeles.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles
Located in the large city of Orlando, Valencia College is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Valencia College
Located in the city of Long Island City, LaGuardia is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from LaGuardia Community College
BMCC is a large public college located in the large city of New York.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Borough of Manhattan Community College
Located in the large city of San Francisco, Academy of Art University is a private for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Academy of Art University
Located in the midsize city of Overland Park, JCCC is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Johnson County Community College
RIT is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Rochester.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Rochester Institute of Technology
Located in the remote town of Alexandria, ATCC is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Alexandria Technical & Community College
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Century College | White Bear Lake, MN |
| 20 | Columbia College Hollywood | Tarzana, CA |
| 21 | El Centro College | Dallas, TX |
| 22 | Southern New Hampshire University | Manchester, NH |
| 23 | Waukesha County Technical College | Pewaukee, WI |
| 24 | Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh, NC |
| 25 | Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny, IA |
View the Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools for a specific region near you.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Design & Applied Arts | 8,050 |
| Fine & Studio Arts | 4,205 |
| Music | 2,284 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | 1,687 |
| General Visual & Performing Arts | 1,636 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | 1,632 |
| Arts & Media Management | 244 |
| Dance | 216 |
| Other Visual Art | 95 |
| Crafts, Folk Art & Artisanry | 14 |
