General Visual & Performing Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general visual & performing arts programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 561 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general visual & performing arts students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great General Visual & Performing Arts School
Where you study general visual & performing arts matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for General Visual & Performing Arts rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
General Visual & Performing Arts Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked University Of Southern California the best school in the country for a degree in general visual & performing arts. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 30 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at University Of Southern California
Students looking for a strong general visual & performing arts program will find one at University Of St Thomas Minnesota, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn around $65,183 in the first couple years of their career. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong general visual & performing arts program will find one at Rice University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong general visual & performing arts program will find one at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 10 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year.
See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 37 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $29,775 in their early career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,719 in student loans.
See the full general visual & performing arts program report for University Of Missouri Columbia
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 12 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $64,891 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,420.
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University Of Florida earned the #7 position for general visual & performing arts this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 66 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $30,629 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,983 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from University Of Florida
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. About 13 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $58,659 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #9 position for general visual & performing arts this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 73 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $29,707 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
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George Mason University earned the #10 position for general visual & performing arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 139 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $31,941. Students borrow a median of $25,620 to complete this degree.
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Harvard University came in at #11 for general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 57 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $115,516 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from Harvard University
Austin Community College District placed #12 among the best general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. There were roughly 100 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Austin Community College District in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from Austin Community College District earn around $29,669 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000.
Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at Austin Community College District
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #13 position for general visual & performing arts this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 23 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. Typical student debt for the program is $22,386.
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Northeastern University earned the #14 position for general visual & performing arts this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. About 90% of students finish within six years. Northeastern University awarded about 15 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from Northeastern University earn around $27,246 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,611 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at Northeastern University
University Of California San Diego landed the #15 spot for general visual & performing arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 71 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $60,797 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from University Of California San Diego
Iowa State University came in at #16 for general visual & performing arts this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $53,900 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,495.
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Arizona State University came in at #17 for general visual & performing arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. Arizona State University awarded about 14 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $22,817. Typical student debt for the program is $22,625.
See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Arizona State University
Michigan State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 53 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete this degree.
See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Michigan State University
Azusa Pacific University landed the #19 spot for general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Azusa Pacific University graduates 62% of students within six years. Azusa Pacific University awarded about 30 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Azusa Pacific University graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from Azusa Pacific University
University Of Central Florida landed the #20 spot for general visual & performing arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Orlando. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. There were roughly 453 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $45,765 in their early career. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
See the full general visual & performing arts program report for University Of Central Florida
Suny College At Oneonta placed #21 among the best general visual & performing arts schools. Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oneonta. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 25 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Suny College At Oneonta in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta generally make around $19,135. Suny College At Oneonta graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
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Minneapolis College Of Art And Design came in at #22 for general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. Minneapolis College Of Art And Design awarded about 12 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from Minneapolis College Of Art And Design earn around $69,907 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,812.
See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Minneapolis College Of Art And Design
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #23 among the best general visual & performing arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Richardson. About 76% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At Dallas awarded about 411 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $28,494 early in their careers. The University Of Texas At Dallas graduates carry a median of $21,196 in student loans.
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University Of Kentucky landed the #24 spot for general visual & performing arts this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. University Of Kentucky graduates 71% of students within six years. University Of Kentucky awarded about 52 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $26,343. University Of Kentucky graduates carry a median of $23,522 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from University Of Kentucky
Bridgewater College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bridgewater College awarded about 12 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Bridgewater College generally make around $38,344. Students borrow a median of $26,423 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 General Visual & Performing Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general visual & performing arts ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 561 schools evaluated.
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).
