[General Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 561 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general visual & performing arts students.
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Finding the Best Value General Visual & Performing Arts School for You
The right general visual & performing arts school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value General Visual & Performing Arts Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Visual & Performing Arts Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in general visual & performing arts in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Mt San Antonio College one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,983 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $30,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general visual & performing arts will find it at Saddleback College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general visual & performing arts will find it at University Of Florida Online, which ranked #5. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $17,983 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $30,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Golden West College earned the #6 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College came in at #7 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Pasadena City College came in at #8 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District earned the #9 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $29,669 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Petersburg College came in at #10 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,385 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College earned the #11 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,541 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $25,344 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Suffolk County Community College placed #13 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $23,694. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $23,674. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Riverside City College placed #15 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $8,767. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College earned the #16 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #17 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $9,376. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College came in at #18 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $37,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College earned the #19 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $6,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Sierra College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $12,733. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $29,214. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.
American River College came in at #21 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercer County Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $45,389. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #23 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $44,101. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt.
Middlesex County College placed #24 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Mississippi Community College placed #25 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,095 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $9,422. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Visual & Performing Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general visual & performing arts value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 561 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 91 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).
[General Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
