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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

131 Colleges in the United States
$20,643 Avg Student Debt
$57,671 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.

College Factual analyzed 356 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value visual & performing arts schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in visual & performing arts in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,631 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $28,931 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #2 place for visual & performing arts. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $64,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,209. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $22,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #4 place for visual & performing arts. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,750. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

5
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $18,316 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $22,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

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6

Suffolk County Community College came in at #6 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $9,132 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $24,851. That is a strong return on a $9,132 median debt.

7

Cuny Queens College earned the #7 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $14,605 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $23,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,605 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

8
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College landed the #8 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,600. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $18,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $16,739. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.

10

County College Of Morris ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Students borrow a median of $9,250 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $33,881. Set against $9,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11

Hudson County Community College placed #11 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,384, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,899 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $22,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12
Burlington County College crest
Burlington County College
Mount Laurel, NJ

Burlington County College came in at #12 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,990 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $52,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13
Cuny York College crest
Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,573. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $49,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

14

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #14 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,535 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $13,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #15 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #16 for value in visual & performing arts 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $8,715. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $20,221 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,715 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

17

Hudson Valley Community College landed the #17 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $43,989. That is a strong return on a $12,868 median debt.

18

Mercer County Community College came in at #18 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.

19

Raritan Valley Community College earned the #19 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20
Montgomery College crest
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

Montgomery College placed #20 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $11,230. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.

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21
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #21 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $14,738. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.

22

Cuny Kingsborough Community College landed the #22 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $19,146. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University placed #23 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

24

Middlesex County College placed #24 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Monroe Community College earned the #25 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,767. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $27,718. Set against $9,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY
40
41
42
43
44
Dutchess Community College crest
Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie, NY
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 356 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 131 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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