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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools

76 Colleges in the United States
$24,714 Avg Student Debt
$56,998 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor's Degree Badge [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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong general visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.

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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2026 Best Value General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value General Visual & Performing Arts Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $17,983. 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.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,983 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $30,629. Set against $17,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #3 place for general visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

4

New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $18,470. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

5

Suny College At Old Westbury is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $20,274 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $44,443 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,274 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

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University Of Central Florida placed #6 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $28,878. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

7
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University placed #7 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $11,904. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

8

California State University San Marcos landed the #8 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,741. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

9

Elizabeth City State University placed #9 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,536, while out-of-state students pay about $10,536. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $26,992. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Elizabeth City State University generally make around $28,300. Set against $26,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

10
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University landed the #10 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $52,481. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.

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University Of California San Diego placed #11 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

12

Florida Gulf Coast University placed #12 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.

13

Louisiana State University Shreveport ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,327. Students borrow a median of $28,907 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $45,300. Set against $28,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

14

The University Of Tennessee Martin placed #14 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $22,625. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $25,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

15

University Of Wisconsin Parkside placed #15 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $24,485. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $24,485 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

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University Of California Merced ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. Students from in state pay about $14,653 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $18,318. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $42,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of North Carolina At Asheville landed the #17 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,501 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,849 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $23,250. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $23,023 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.

18

Arizona State University came in at #18 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $22,625. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $22,817. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

19

Kent State University At Tuscarawas placed #19 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the town of New Philadelphia, Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, compared with $17,969 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,569 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Kent State University At Tuscarawas earn a median of $36,464 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,569 median debt.

20

Mississippi University For Women came in at #20 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,492. Students borrow a median of $24,509 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Mississippi University For Women earn a median of $42,756 early in their careers. Set against $24,509 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

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21
The College Of Westchester crest
The College Of Westchester
White Plains, NY

The College Of Westchester came in at #21 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. The College Of Westchester is a small private for-profit school located in the city of White Plains. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,191. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $29,570 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from The College Of Westchester generally make around $20,163. Set against $29,570 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

22

Wichita State University placed #22 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $24,551. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $20,013. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.

23

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #23 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $24,500. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $28,226. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

24

Southeast Missouri State University earned the #24 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $26,750. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $26,668 early in their careers. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.

25
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University earned the #25 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $115,516. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

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:

26
27
28
29
30
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
31
32
33
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Daemen College crest
Daemen College
Amherst, NY
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
50

Other General Visual & Performing Arts Degree Levels

Explore the best-value general visual & performing arts schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General Visual & Performing Arts
Associate's Degrees in General Visual & Performing Arts
Master's Degrees in General Visual & Performing Arts
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View All General Visual & Performing Arts Rankings >

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Notes and References

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 76 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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