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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region

97 Colleges in the United States
$22,269 Avg Student Debt
$52,764 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Badge [Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 320 schools to find the best return on investment for visual & performing arts students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools

1

Cuyahoga Community College District tops our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,795 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $22,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Elgin Community College earned it the #2 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $7,727. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Harper College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Sinclair Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $24,490. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Dupage earned it the #5 place for visual & performing arts. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $11,077 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $31,798. Set against $11,077 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Washtenaw Community College placed #6 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL

Triton College came in at #7 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.

8

Joliet Junior College placed #8 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Muskegon Community College earned the #9 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,928. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $48,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College earned the #10 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $15,865. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, MI

Delta College came in at #11 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,075 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Delta College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Kalamazoo Valley Community College earned the #12 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $15,525. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $44,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Henry Ford Community College came in at #13 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $19,911. That is a strong return on a $19,075 median debt.

14

Columbus State Community College earned the #14 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,041. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College landed the #15 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,710 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $26,602. Set against $12,710 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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16

Schoolcraft College came in at #16 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Students borrow a median of $15,677 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $46,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Gateway Technical College placed #17 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $7,199. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $29,734 early in their careers. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18
Mchenry County College crest
Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL

Mchenry County College placed #18 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $24,177. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Sauk Valley Community College came in at #19 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Sauk Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dixon. Students from in state pay about $5,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,900. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,811. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Sauk Valley Community College earn a median of $48,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,811 median debt.

20

Waukesha County Technical College came in at #20 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,803, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Students borrow a median of $15,554 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $39,095. That is a strong return on a $15,554 median debt.

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21

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,904. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $19,408. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College generally make around $42,936. Set against $19,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Fox Valley Technical College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $32,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Indiana University Southeast earned the #23 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $18,942. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $31,194. Set against $18,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

24

Jackson Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, compared with $10,200 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Jackson Community College earn a median of $41,322 early in their careers. Set against $16,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Southwestern Illinois College placed #25 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $44,345. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for visual & performing arts this year:

26
27
28
29
30
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, OH
31
32
33
34
35
Vincennes University crest
Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN
44
45
46
47
Owens Community College crest
Owens Community College
Perrysburg, OH
48
49
50

Narrow 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. 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 · 320 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 97 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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