2026 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,631. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $26,204 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,631 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

2

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $64,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,209 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $20,824 early in their careers. Set against $12,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

4

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #4 place for visual & performing arts. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,949 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $25,920. That is a strong return on a $12,949 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

5

Seminole State College Of Florida
Sanford, FL

Seminole State College Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,122, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,558 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $39,221 early in their careers. Set against $28,558 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,585. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

7

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College landed the #7 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $18,316. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $22,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

8

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton came in at #8 for value in visual & performing arts this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $18,772 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $22,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Florida Online
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida Online came in at #9 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,983 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $30,629. That is a strong return on a $17,983 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.

10

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles landed the #10 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,109 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $23,153 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $17,088. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $24,656. That is a strong return on a $17,088 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

12

Berea College
Berea, KY

Berea College came in at #12 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $20,036. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 19%.

13

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,605 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $22,944. That is a strong return on a $14,605 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

14

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield placed #14 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

15

Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College placed #15 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.

16

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University placed #16 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,672. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $20,035 early in their careers. Set against $14,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.

17

Lake Washington Institute Of Technology
Kirkland, WA

Lake Washington Institute Of Technology ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $60,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College placed #18 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,573 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $49,559 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,573 median debt. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.

19

Clover Park Technical College
Lakewood, WA

Clover Park Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,634 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $15,154. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $42,209 early in their careers. Set against $15,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #20 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

21

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #21 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,596. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $21,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

22

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,779 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $19,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

23

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus earned the #23 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $21,288. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

24

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge placed #24 among the best values for visual & performing arts. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,155. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $22,475. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

25

Cuny New York City College Of Technology
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #25 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $8,715 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $19,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,715 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.