College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2025 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

131 Colleges in the Middle Atlantic Region
28,767 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$27,860 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on majoring in visual & performing arts, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #10 in the country in terms of popularity. As a result, there are many college that offer the degree, making your choice of school a hard one.

College Factual looked at 131 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 28,767 degrees in visual & performing arts annually.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Visual & Performing Arts School

Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region Your choice of visual & performing arts school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Visual & Performing Arts School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Pick Your Visual & Performing Arts Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Visual & Performing Arts
Bachelor's Degrees in Visual & Performing Arts
Master's Degrees in Visual & Performing Arts
Doctor's Degrees in Visual & Performing Arts

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 Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list, to help you choose the best school for you. If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.

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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.

Best Schools for Visual & Performing Arts in the Middle Atlantic Region

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the visual & performing arts degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Middle Atlantic Region Schools in Visual & Performing Arts

1
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1,834 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
18.5% Growth in Graduates

It is difficult to beat New York University if you want to pursue a degree in visual & performing arts. Located in the city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #16 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means NYU is a great university overall.

There were about 1834 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the visual & performing arts program make an average of $26,826 for their early career.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from New York University

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
87 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$31,073 Median Starting Salary

Any student pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts needs to check out Cornell University. Cornell is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Ithaca. A Best Colleges rank of #9 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Cornell is a great university overall.

There were approximately 87 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent data year. Those visual & performing arts students who get their degree from Cornell University earn $3,213 more than the average visual & performing arts graduate.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Cornell University

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1,475 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$23,973 Median Starting Salary

It's difficult to beat Fashion Institute of Technology if you wish to pursue a degree in visual & performing arts. Located in the large city of New York, FIT SUNY is a public school with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #32 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means FIT SUNY is a great school overall.

There were about 1475 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at FIT SUNY in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the visual & performing arts program state that they receive average early career income of $23,973.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Fashion Institute of Technology

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
314 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$48,000 Median Starting Salary

Any student who is interested in visual & performing arts needs to check out Carnegie Mellon University. Located in the large city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #8 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Carnegie Mellon is a great university overall.

There were roughly 314 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon in the most recent year we have data available. Visual & Performing Arts degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University get an earnings boost of around $20,141 above the average earnings of visual & performing arts graduates.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Carnegie Mellon University

5
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
781 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
38.4% Growth in Graduates

American Musical and Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York.

There were approximately 781 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at American Musical and Dramatic Academy in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the visual & performing arts program make an average of $17,382 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from American Musical and Dramatic Academy

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
507 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$27,203 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Baltimore, MICA is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

There were roughly 507.00000000000006 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at MICA in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the visual & performing arts program make about $27,203 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Maryland Institute College of Art

7
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
643 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$33,516 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

There were about 643 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Pratt Institute in the most recent data year. Those visual & performing arts students who get their degree from Pratt Institute - Main make $5,656 more than the typical visual & performing arts student.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Pratt Institute - Main

8
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
99 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$12,456 Median Starting Salary

American Academy of Dramatic Arts - New York is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York.

There were approximately 99 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at American Academy of Dramatic Arts - New York in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the visual & performing arts program report average early career wages of $12,456.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from American Academy of Dramatic Arts - New York

9
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
118 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
3.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.

There were about 117.99999999999999 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the visual & performing arts program at University of Pennsylvania make $7,206 above the standard college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University of Pennsylvania

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
242 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
17.4% Growth in Graduates

Johns Hopkins is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Baltimore. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.

There were approximately 242 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the visual & performing arts program earn an average of $26,680 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Johns Hopkins University

11
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
378 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
5.8% Growth in Graduates

Syracuse is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Syracuse. This university ranks 5th out of 136 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 378 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts degree recipients from Syracuse University receive an earnings boost of around $5,814 over the typical income of visual & performing arts majors.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Syracuse University

12
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
315 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$31,723 Median Starting Salary

RIT is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. This school ranks 13th out of 136 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were approximately 315 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at RIT in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the visual & performing arts program at Rochester Institute of Technology get $3,863 more than the typical graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Rochester Institute of Technology

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
264 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$23,844 Median Starting Salary

Located in the medium-sized city of Rochester, University of Rochester is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 136 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were approximately 264 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University of Rochester in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the visual & performing arts program report average early career earnings of $23,844.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University of Rochester

14
New School University crest
The New School
New York, NY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1,406 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
14.4% Growth in Graduates

New School University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York. This school ranks 22nd out of 136 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were roughly 1406 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at New School University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the visual & performing arts program make an average of $26,697 for their early career.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from The New School

15
Ithaca crest
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
256 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$21,775 Median Starting Salary

Ithaca is a small private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Ithaca. This college ranks 23rd out of 136 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 256 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Ithaca in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the visual & performing arts program report average early career wages of $21,775.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Ithaca College

16
Drexel crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
368 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$33,960 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Philadelphia, Drexel is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 10th out of 103 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were approximately 368 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Drexel in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the visual & performing arts major at Drexel University make $6,100 above the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Drexel University

17
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
443 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
19.2% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #15 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were about 443 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts degree recipients from Columbia University in the City of New York receive an earnings boost of about $2,322 above the typical income of visual & performing arts graduates.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Columbia University in the City of New York

18
Juilliard crest
The Juilliard School
New York, NY
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
316 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
20.6% Growth in Graduates

Juilliard is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York.

There were about 316 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Juilliard in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the visual & performing arts program state that they receive average early career wages of $14,131.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from The Juilliard School

19
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
589 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$24,482 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 103 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were about 589 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Temple in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the visual & performing arts program make about $24,482 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Temple University

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
53 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$23,856 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Washington, CUA is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 4th out of 7 colleges for overall quality in the state of District of Columbia.

There were approximately 53 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at CUA in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the visual & performing arts program report average early career earnings of $23,856.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Catholic University of America

21
The American University crest
American University
Washington, DC
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
191 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
12.0% Growth in Graduates

The American University is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Washington. A Best Colleges rank of #61 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means The American University is a great university overall.

There were approximately 191 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at The American University in the most recent data year. Those visual & performing arts students who get their degree from American University receive $10,432 more than the typical visual & performing arts grad.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from American University

22
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
76 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$36,433 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 7th out of 103 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were about 76 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Thomas Jefferson University in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the visual & performing arts major at Thomas Jefferson University earn $8,573 more than the typical college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Thomas Jefferson University

23
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
82 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$33,214 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large suburb of Ewing, TCNJ is a public college with a medium-sized student population. This college ranks 6th out of 45 colleges for overall quality in the state of New Jersey.

There were about 82 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at TCNJ in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the visual & performing arts major at The College of New Jersey make $5,354 more than the typical graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from The College of New Jersey

24
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
281 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
18.5% Growth in Graduates

UMCP is a very large public university located in the suburb of College Park. A Best Colleges rank of #37 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UMCP is a great university overall.

There were roughly 281 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent year we have data available. Those visual & performing arts students who get their degree from University of Maryland - College Park receive $2,545 more than the standard visual & performing arts grad.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University of Maryland - College Park

24
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
346 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
21.4% Growth in Graduates

Manhattan School of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York.

There were roughly 346 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Manhattan School of Music in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the visual & performing arts program state that they receive average early career wages of $18,679.

More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Manhattan School of Music

Rest of the Top Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

26
Messiah crest
Messiah University
Mechanicsburg, PA

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Visual & Performing Arts students in the Middle Atlantic Region that almost earned our Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region award.

Rank College Location
27 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA
28 School of Visual Arts New York, NY
29 Barnard College New York, NY
30 Towson University Towson, MD
31 Marymount Manhattan College New York, NY
32 Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ
33 Purchase College Purchase, NY
34 University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY
35 University of Delaware Newark, DE
36 Marist College Poughkeepsie, NY
37 Muhlenberg College Allentown, PA
38 Binghamton University Vestal, NY
39 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY
40 The University of the Arts Philadelphia, PA
41 Fordham University Bronx, NY
42 Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY
43 Skidmore College Saratoga Springs, NY

Best Visual & Performing Arts Colleges by State

Explore the best visual & performing arts schools for a specific state in the Middle Atlantic Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
New Jersey 38 2,567
Pennsylvania 38 5,399
New York 38 16,395
Maryland 37 2,030
Delaware 33 182
District of Columbia 33 571

View All Rankings >

Visual & Performing Arts Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Design & Applied Arts 6,935
Fine & Studio Arts 6,307
Music 4,667
Drama & Theater Arts 4,342
Film, Video & Photographic Arts 3,128
General Visual & Performing Arts 1,018
Dance 945
Arts & Media Management 909
Other Visual Art 508
Crafts, Folk Art & Artisanry 8

View All Visual & Performing Arts Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options