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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

18 Colleges in the United States
780 General Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$33,867 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

College Factual analyzed 97 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general visual & performing arts schools.

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Best Schools for General Visual & Performing Arts in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general visual & performing arts education in the Middle Atlantic Region.

Top Schools in General Visual & Performing Arts

1

Our analysis ranked Pennsylvania State University Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in general visual & performing arts. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

2

A rank of #2 makes Suny College At Oneonta one of the top schools for general visual & performing arts. Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oneonta. About 69% of students finish within six years. Suny College At Oneonta awarded about 25 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta generally make around $19,135. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at Suny College At Oneonta

3
Daemen College crest
Daemen College
Amherst, NY

A rank of #3 makes Daemen College one of the top schools for general visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Amherst, Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Daemen College graduates 59% of students within six years. About 20 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Daemen College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from Daemen College earn around $63,542 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,358. More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from Daemen College

4

Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general visual & performing arts, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $53,216 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,701 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham

5

Students looking for a strong general visual & performing arts program will find one at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 40 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $39,028 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,867 to complete this degree. Get the full general visual & performing arts details for Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania

6

State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #6 spot for general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. State University Of New York At New Paltz graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at State University Of New York At New Paltz in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $19,893. Students borrow a median of $21,324 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from State University Of New York At New Paltz

7
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 11 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Stony Brook University in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Stony Brook University graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from Stony Brook University

8
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University landed the #8 spot for general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Temple University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $20,667 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree. Get the full general visual & performing arts details for Temple University

9

Moore College Of Art And Design ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Moore College Of Art And Design in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Moore College Of Art And Design generally make around $27,107. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full general visual & performing arts details for Moore College Of Art And Design

10

Suny College At Old Westbury placed #10 among the best general visual & performing arts schools. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. About 45% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Suny College At Old Westbury in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $44,443. Suny College At Old Westbury graduates carry a median of $20,274 in student loans. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at Suny College At Old Westbury

11
Montgomery College crest
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

Montgomery College came in at #11 for general visual & performing arts this year. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. About 20 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Montgomery College in the most recent 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. Typical student debt for the program is $11,230. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at Montgomery College

12

The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey came in at #12 for general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey awarded about 31 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $20,705 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey

13

Suffolk County Community College came in at #13 for general visual & performing arts this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Suffolk County Community College awarded about 53 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $23,694. Typical student debt for the program is $11,246. See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Suffolk County Community College

14

Ramapo College Of New Jersey earned the #14 position for general visual & performing arts this year. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Mahwah. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 17 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Ramapo College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Ramapo College Of New Jersey generally make around $48,545. Students borrow a median of $25,926 to complete this degree. Get the full general visual & performing arts details for Ramapo College Of New Jersey

15

Cuny Queensborough Community College placed #15 among the best general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Cuny Queensborough Community College awarded about 54 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,052. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at Cuny Queensborough Community College

16

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. 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. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn around $9,376 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College

17

Middlesex County College came in at #17 for general visual & performing arts this year. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. Middlesex County College awarded about 16 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $37,975 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,514. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at Middlesex County 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. There were roughly 48 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Suny Westchester Community College 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. Suny Westchester Community College graduates carry a median of $8,764 in student loans. More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from Suny Westchester Community College

19

Suny At Purchase College landed the #19 spot for general visual & performing arts this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Purchase. About 63% of students finish within six years. Suny At Purchase College awarded about 39 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $22,024 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general visual & performing arts details for Suny At Purchase College

20

Mercer County Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. About 16 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Mercer County Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from Mercer County Community College earn around $45,389 in the first couple years of their career. 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

21
Ocean County College crest
Ocean County College
Toms River, NJ

Ocean County College came in at #21 for general visual & performing arts this year. Ocean County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Toms River. Ocean County College awarded about 65 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Ocean County College generally make around $41,306. Typical student debt for the program is $13,792. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at Ocean County College

22
Dutchess Community College crest
Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Dutchess Community College landed the #22 spot for general visual & performing arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. There were roughly 24 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Dutchess Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from Dutchess Community College earn around $32,978 in the first couple years of their career. Dutchess Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Dutchess Community College

23

Rockland Community College landed the #23 spot for general visual & performing arts this year. Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Suffern. Rockland Community College awarded about 17 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Rockland Community College earn a median of $41,799 early in their careers. Rockland Community College graduates carry a median of $11,167 in student loans. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at Rockland Community College

24

The Community College Of Baltimore County earned the #24 position for general visual & performing arts this year. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. There were roughly 40 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at The Community College Of Baltimore County in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $52,440 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,038. Get the full general visual & performing arts details for The Community College Of Baltimore County

25

East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #25 position for general visual & performing arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of East Stroudsburg. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $22,349 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,400 to complete this degree. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania

Rest of the Top 29 General Visual & Performing Arts Schools

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

26
The College Of Westchester crest
The College Of Westchester
White Plains, NY
27
28
29
Bloomfield College crest
Bloomfield College
Bloomfield, NJ

Narrow General Visual & Performing Arts Schools by State

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 97 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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