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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in New York

66 Colleges in the United States
$19,367 Avg Student Debt
$55,953 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Badge [Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 147 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 New York

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

Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for visual & performing arts in New York. 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. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,631. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $28,931. Set against $9,631 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #2 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. 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. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.

3

A rank of #3 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $12,209 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $22,473 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,209 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

4

Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,750. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $27,585 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

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

Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #5. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $18,316. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $22,297. Set against $18,316 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Cuny Queens College placed #6 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $14,605 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $23,564. Set against $14,605 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

7

Suffolk County Community College placed #7 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,132 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $24,851. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Cuny Queensborough Community College earned the #8 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $16,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,600. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $18,107. Set against $10,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10
Cuny York College crest
Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College placed #10 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,573. 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.

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11

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #11 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Students borrow a median of $9,535 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $13,532. Set against $9,535 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #12 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. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $8,715 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $20,221. Set against $8,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

13

Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. 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%.

14

Hudson Valley Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,796 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,868. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $43,989. Set against $12,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #15 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $19,146. That is a strong return on a $7,858 median debt.

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16
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #16 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $14,738. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Monroe Community College landed the #17 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,767. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Cuny Hostos Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,254 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Students borrow a median of $9,007 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Hostos Community College generally make around $12,863. Set against $9,007 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Cuny Bronx Community College came in at #19 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $8,224. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $18,700. That is a strong return on a $8,224 median debt.

20

Niagara County Community College landed the #20 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $13,970 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $36,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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21

Onondaga Community College came in at #21 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,466 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Onondaga Community College earn a median of $35,781 early in their careers. Set against $11,466 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Farmingdale State College placed #22 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Students borrow a median of $18,875 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $27,827. Set against $18,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

23

Erie Community College earned the #23 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $37,069. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Schenectady County Community College landed the #24 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,190, with out-of-state students paying around $8,974. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,902 ten years after entry.

25

Suny College At Old Westbury ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $20,274 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $44,443 early in their careers. Set against $20,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

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

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

26
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY
27
28
Dutchess Community College crest
Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie, NY
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
The College Of Westchester crest
The College Of Westchester
White Plains, NY
39
40
Suny At Fredonia crest
Suny At Fredonia
Fredonia, NY
41
42
Daemen College crest
Daemen College
Amherst, NY
43
44
45
46
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY
47
48
49
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
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 · 147 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 66 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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