by our College Data Analytics Team
[Other Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/other-visual-performing-arts/visual-and-performing-arts-other/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong other visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for other visual & performing arts students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the other visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Santa Monica College the best value for a degree in other visual & performing arts in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in other visual & performing arts will find it at University Of Washington Bothell Campus, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,636 to complete the other visual & performing arts program here. Other Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $65,932 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Portland State University earned it the #3 place for other visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Other Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other visual & performing arts degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
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This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.