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2025 Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in New York

18 Colleges in New York
2,564 Associate Degrees
$19,522 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on getting your associate degree in visual & performing arts, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #9 in the country in terms of popularity. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 18 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in New York ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 2,564 associate degrees in visual & performing arts to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Visual & Performing Arts School for Your Associate Degree

Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in New York 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. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:

Quality Overall Is Important

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.

Average Earnings

One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of associate graduates during the early years of their career. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their associate degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.

Other Factors We Consider

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 schools for visual & performing arts students working on their associate degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in New York list, to help you choose the best school for you.

Best Schools for Associate Students to Study Visual & Performing Arts in New York

Learn about the top ranked colleges and universities for visual & performing arts students seeking a an associate degree.

10 Top New York Schools for an Associate in Visual & Performing Arts

1
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
836 Annual Graduates

Fashion Institute of Technology is a great decision for individuals pursuing an associate degree in visual & performing arts. Located in the city of New York, FIT SUNY is a public school with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Fashion Institute of Technology

2
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
61 Annual Graduates

American Musical and Dramatic Academy is a good 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

3
New School University crest
The New School
New York, NY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
105 Annual Graduates

The New School is a wonderful decision for individuals interested in an associate degree in visual & performing arts. New School University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from The New School

4
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
80 Annual Graduates

It's hard to beat American Academy of Dramatic Arts - New York if you want to pursue an associate degree in visual & performing arts. American Academy of Dramatic Arts - New York is a 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

5
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
36 Annual Graduates

Located in the 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

6
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
102 Annual Graduates

BMCC is a large public college located in the city of New York.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Borough of Manhattan Community College

7
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
101 Annual Graduates

QCC is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Bayside.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Queensborough Community College

8
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
37 Annual Graduates

Located in the small city of Utica, MVCC is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Mohawk Valley Community College

9
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
86 Annual Graduates

Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Nassau Community College

10
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
122 Annual Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Suffolk County Community College

Best Visual & Performing Arts Colleges in the Middle Atlantic Region

Explore all the Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Pennsylvania 36 440
New Jersey 35 495
Maryland 33 277
Delaware 21 48
District of Columbia 13 13

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Visual & Performing Arts Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Design & Applied Arts 1,336
Fine & Studio Arts 401
Drama & Theater Arts 335
General Visual & Performing Arts 259
Music 125
Film, Video & Photographic Arts 95
Dance 7
Arts & Media Management 6

Notes and References

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