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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in general visual & performing arts, no school beat Moorpark College this year. 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. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Mt San Antonio College one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Saddleback College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $5,707. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general visual & performing arts will find it at Golden West College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
ADBLOCK #101
Pasadena City College placed #6 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Austin Community College District landed the #7 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $10,000. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $29,669. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Pima Community College earned the #8 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. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Students borrow a median of $9,541 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $25,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College came in at #9 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #10 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #11 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Riverside City College landed the #12 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #13 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #14 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $9,376 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College earned the #15 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $7,995 median debt.
Long Beach City College landed the #16 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Sierra College earned the #17 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $12,733. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College landed the #18 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercer County Community College came in at #19 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $45,389 early in their careers. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College placed #20 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Mississippi Community College came in at #21 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,095, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,422 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $34,012. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery College landed the #22 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.
Bakersfield College placed #23 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,430 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $86,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattanooga State Community College came in at #24 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. Students borrow a median of $12,079 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Chattanooga State Community College earn a median of $37,252 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,079 median debt.
Cuny Bronx Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $8,224. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $18,700. That is a strong return on a $8,224 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general visual & performing arts:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Visual & Performing Arts rankings across degree levels:
[General Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
