[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 2217 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual & performing arts students.
DEBUG: Checking offer "Arts & Design Associate Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Arts & Design Associate Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Arts & Design Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Arts & Design Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Arts & Design Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Arts & Design Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 3
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 3 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.5
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 3
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.9
DEBUG: Backfilling with 3 offers with relevance >= 0.8
Finding the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts School for You
The right visual & performing arts school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value 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.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among visual & performing arts schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,631 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $28,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $64,102. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $12,209 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $22,473. Set against $12,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at California State University Dominguez Hills, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,949. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $25,920. That is a strong return on a $12,949 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Moorpark College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Seminole State College Of Florida earned the #6 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $19,613. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $35,284. Set against $19,613 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College placed #7 among the best values for visual & performing arts. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #8 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $27,585 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Skyline College came in at #9 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
California State University Fullerton placed #10 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,772 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $35,269 early in their careers. Set against $18,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny City College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,316 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $22,297. Set against $18,316 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #12 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
University Of Florida placed #13 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,088 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $27,412 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of Florida Online earned the #14 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,983 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $30,629. Set against $17,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #15 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #16 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons placed #17 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Berea College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $5,801. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $20,036. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #19 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,109 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $22,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Saddleback College landed the #20 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College placed #21 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College landed the #22 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Hinds Community College placed #23 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,385. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $34,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College placed #24 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Santa Monica College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s visual & performing arts value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 2217 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 640 ranked schools only.
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).
[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
