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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Southeast Region

25 Colleges in the United States
2,056 General Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$36,455 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Visual & Performing Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 129 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general visual & performing arts schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Visual & Performing Arts in the Southeast Region

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

Top Schools in General Visual & Performing Arts

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best school in the country for a degree in general visual & performing arts. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 66 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $30,629 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,983. See the full general visual & performing arts program report for University Of Florida

2

George Mason University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Mason University awarded about 139 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $31,941 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,620. More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from George Mason University

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Central Florida one of the top schools for general visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. University Of Central Florida awarded about 453 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $45,765. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at University Of Central Florida

4

University Of Kentucky came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 52 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kentucky in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from University Of Kentucky earn around $26,343 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,522. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at University Of Kentucky

5
Bridgewater College crest
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Bridgewater. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Bridgewater College in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Bridgewater College earn a median of $38,344 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,423. Get the full general visual & performing arts details for Bridgewater College

6

University Of Florida Online came in at #6 for general visual & performing arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Gainesville. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida Online in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $30,629. Students borrow a median of $17,983 to complete this degree. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at University Of Florida Online

7

University Of North Carolina At Asheville earned the #7 position for general visual & performing arts this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Asheville. University Of North Carolina At Asheville graduates 54% of students within six years. University Of North Carolina At Asheville awarded about 41 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $23,023. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. See the full general visual & performing arts program report for University Of North Carolina At Asheville

8
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at Lipscomb University

9

Kennesaw State University came in at #9 for general visual & performing arts this year. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 81 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Kennesaw State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $27,636. Typical student debt for the program is $27,004. More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from Kennesaw State University

10
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University earned the #10 position for general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Longwood University awarded about 23 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from Longwood University earn around $34,812 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,250. Get the full general visual & performing arts details for Longwood University

11

Stetson University came in at #11 for general visual & performing arts this year. Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of DeLand. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Stetson University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $26,913 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from Stetson University

12

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #12 for general visual & performing arts this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Florida Gulf Coast University awarded about 62 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $50,726 in their early career. Florida Gulf Coast University graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Florida Gulf Coast University

13

Florida International University earned the #13 position for general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 74 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Florida International University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete this degree. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at Florida International University

14
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington came in at #14 for general visual & performing arts this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. About 66% of students finish within six years. University Of Mary Washington awarded about 12 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $29,130. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from University Of Mary Washington

15

Mississippi University For Women earned the #15 position for general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public institution. Mississippi University For Women graduates 47% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Mississippi University For Women in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from Mississippi University For Women earn around $42,756 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,509. More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from Mississippi University For Women

16
Eckerd College crest
Eckerd College
Saint Petersburg, FL

Eckerd College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Saint Petersburg, Eckerd College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Eckerd College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from Eckerd College earn around $28,012 in the first couple years of their career. Eckerd College graduates carry a median of $25,559 in student loans. More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from Eckerd College

17

Christopher Newport University landed the #17 spot for general visual & performing arts this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Newport News. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 45 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Christopher Newport University in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $23,656 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Christopher Newport University

18
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $45,877. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at Liberty University

19
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Mississippi State University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 46 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Mississippi State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $24,752. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Mississippi State University

20

The University Of Tennessee Martin landed the #20 spot for general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. The University Of Tennessee Martin graduates 52% of students within six years. About 13 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee Martin in the most recent year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $25,660 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,625. Get the full general visual & performing arts details for The University Of Tennessee Martin

21
Salem College crest
Salem College
Winston-Salem, NC

Salem College came in at #21 for general visual & performing arts this year. Salem College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Salem College graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Salem College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $43,226 in their early career. Salem College graduates carry a median of $26,789 in student loans. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at Salem College

22

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College awarded about 56 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $34,214 in their early career. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. Get the full general visual & performing arts details for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

23

University Of Southern Mississippi earned the #23 position for general visual & performing arts this year. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. About 49% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern Mississippi awarded about 27 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete this degree. Get the full general visual & performing arts details for University Of Southern Mississippi

24

University Of Louisiana Lafayette placed #24 among the best general visual & performing arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Lafayette. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Louisiana Lafayette in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $16,871. Typical student debt for the program is $24,373. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at University Of Louisiana Lafayette

25

Hillsborough Community College placed #25 among the best general visual & performing arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tampa. About 11 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Hillsborough Community College in the most recent year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $44,101 early in their careers. Hillsborough Community College graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Hillsborough Community College

Rest of the Top 41 General Visual & Performing Arts Schools

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

26
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV
27
Lynn University crest
Lynn University
Boca Raton, FL
28
29
30
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Bob Jones University crest
Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC
41
Full Sail University crest
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL

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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 · 129 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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