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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Elgin Community College, our #1 best value for visual & performing arts in Illinois. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Triton College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Harper College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes College Of Dupage one of the best values for visual & performing arts. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $11,077 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Joliet Junior College earned it the #5 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
ADBLOCK #101
Mchenry County College earned the #6 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,399 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College came in at #7 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Sauk Valley Community College landed the #8 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Dixon, Sauk Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,900. Students borrow a median of $12,811 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Sauk Valley Community College generally make around $48,855. Set against $12,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rend Lake College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,500, compared with $7,800 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $8,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Rend Lake College generally make around $42,770. That is a strong return on a $8,688 median debt.
Millikin University placed #10 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,792 in tuition and fees. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,995 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $22,772 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
