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

13 Colleges in the United States
1,376 General Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$41,079 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Visual & Performing Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

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.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Visual & Performing Arts in the United States

Below are the best general visual & performing arts schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in General Visual & Performing Arts

1

Austin Community College District is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. There were roughly 49 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Austin Community College District in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $29,669. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at Austin Community College District

2
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general visual & performing arts, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Moorpark. There were roughly 17 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Moorpark College in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,075. More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from Moorpark College

3
Hennepin Technical College crest
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, MN

Hennepin Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. About 11 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Hennepin Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College generally make around $52,059. Hennepin Technical College graduates carry a median of $17,887 in student loans. See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Hennepin Technical College

4
Montgomery College crest
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

Students looking for a strong general visual & performing arts program will find one at Montgomery College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. Montgomery College awarded about 20 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from Montgomery College earn around $24,833 in the first couple years of their career. Montgomery College graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Montgomery College

5

Suffolk County Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Selden. There were roughly 53 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Suffolk County Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $23,694 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from Suffolk County Community College

6

Mt San Antonio College came in at #6 for general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Mt San Antonio College awarded about 21 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $44,391 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,384. Get the full general visual & performing arts details for Mt San Antonio College

7
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College placed #7 among the best general visual & performing arts schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 25 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Santa Monica College in the most recent year. See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Santa Monica College

8

Cuny Queensborough Community College placed #8 among the best general visual & performing arts schools. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. There were roughly 54 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Queensborough Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $23,674 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,052. See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Cuny Queensborough Community College

9
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. There were roughly 13 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Saddleback College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Saddleback College graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Saddleback College

10

Butler Community College earned the #10 position for general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 11 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Butler Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from Butler Community College earn around $39,404 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,670. More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from Butler Community College

11

San Jacinto Community College placed #11 among the best general visual & performing arts schools. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. San Jacinto Community College awarded about 80 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $21,173 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,376. Get the full general visual & performing arts details for San Jacinto Community College

12

Pasadena City College earned the #12 position for general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. There were roughly 26 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Pasadena City College in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Pasadena City College graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Pasadena City College

13

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College placed #13 among the best general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 56 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

14
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College landed the #14 spot for general visual & performing arts this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Golden West College awarded about 34 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from Golden West College earn around $82,984 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Golden West College

15

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #15 position for general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 21 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $9,376. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College

16

Middlesex County College came in at #16 for general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Middlesex County College awarded about 16 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. Middlesex County College graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Get the full general visual & performing arts details for Middlesex County College

17
Fullerton College crest
Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA

Fullerton College placed #17 among the best general visual & performing arts schools. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 54 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Fullerton College in the most recent year. Get the full general visual & performing arts details for Fullerton College

18

Suny Westchester Community College placed #18 among the best general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. Suny Westchester Community College awarded about 48 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from Suny Westchester Community College earn around $57,520 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete this degree. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at Suny Westchester Community College

19

Truckee Meadows Community College placed #19 among the best general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public institution. About 31 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Truckee Meadows Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from Truckee Meadows Community College earn around $52,785 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,290. See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Truckee Meadows Community College

20
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, CA

Citrus College came in at #20 for general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. About 31 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Citrus College in the most recent year. See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Citrus College

21

Mercer County Community College placed #21 among the best general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 15 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Mercer County Community College in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $45,389 early in their careers. Mercer County Community College graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Get the full general visual & performing arts details for Mercer County Community College

22
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College landed the #22 spot for general visual & performing arts this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. There were roughly 18 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Long Beach City College in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general visual & performing arts details for Long Beach City College

23

Capital Community College came in at #23 for general visual & performing arts this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. About 66 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Capital Community College in the most recent year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from Capital Community College

24

Riverside City College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. About 14 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Riverside City College in the most recent year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Riverside City College graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Get the full general visual & performing arts details for Riverside City College

25

Chemeketa Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Salem, Chemeketa Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 10 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Chemeketa Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from Chemeketa Community College earn around $45,440 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,755. Get the full general visual & performing arts details for Chemeketa Community College

Rest of the Top 46 General Visual & Performing Arts Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general visual & performing arts education:

26
Ocean County College crest
Ocean County College
Toms River, NJ
27
Los Angeles Pierce College crest
Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, CA
28
Dutchess Community College crest
Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie, NY
29
30
31
32
33
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA
34
35
36
Sierra College crest
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA
37
38
Bakersfield College crest
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA
39
Victor Valley College crest
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
Full Sail University crest
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL

Other General Visual & Performing Arts Degree Levels

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

All Degree Levels in General Visual & Performing Arts
Bachelor'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

This ranking is produced 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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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