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

1

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in visual & performing arts in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $11,691. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $64,102. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,631 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $32,471 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,631 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.

3

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,209 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $24,787. Set against $12,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

A rank of #4 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for visual & performing arts. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,088 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $32,943. Set against $17,088 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

5

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

A rank of #5 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

6

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College earned the #6 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. 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 $21,430. That is a strong return on a $18,316 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

7

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton placed #7 among the best values for visual & performing arts. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,772 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

8

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles came in at #8 for value in visual & performing arts this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,109 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $22,238. That is a strong return on a $14,109 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

9

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,605. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $21,964 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

10

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge came in at #10 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $36,611 early in their careers. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

11

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #11 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $18,948. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $33,154. Set against $18,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

12

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University landed the #12 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,120 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $24,445. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

13

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #13 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,114 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $29,745 early in their careers. Set against $18,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

14

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida earned the #14 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $21,288 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $24,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

15

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University landed the #15 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

16

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $22,194 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $28,800 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

17

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras
San Juan, PR

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras placed #17 among the best values for visual & performing arts. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras generally make around $6,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

18

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #18 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,186. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $26,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

19

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $22,612. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $32,017. That is a strong return on a $22,612 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.

20

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #20 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $25,630. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $28,236 early in their careers. Set against $25,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

21

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #21 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,905 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $29,276 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.

22

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah earned the #22 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,061 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $41,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #23 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $17,008 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $32,318 early in their careers. Set against $17,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.

24

Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT

Southern Utah University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,284 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $27,335 early in their careers. Set against $19,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.

25

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #25 among the best values for visual & performing arts. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,458. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $23,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.