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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 Rocky Mountains Region

24 Colleges in the United States
$20,025 Avg Student Debt
$50,815 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 74 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 Rocky Mountains Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools

1
Snow College crest
Snow College
Ephraim, UT

Snow College tops our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2
Colorado Mountain College crest
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO

Colorado Mountain College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,953. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $48,694 early in their careers. Set against $12,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,860. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $24,196. That is a strong return on a $13,860 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

4
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salt Lake Community College earned it the #4 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Students borrow a median of $10,766 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $34,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #5 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,400 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $29,541 early in their careers. Set against $15,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Community College Of Aurora landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $20,750. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Community College Of Aurora earn a median of $20,533 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7
Northwest College crest
Northwest College
Powell, WY

Northwest College earned the #7 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Northwest College is a small public school located in the town of Powell. Students from in state pay about $4,962 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,262 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Northwest College generally make around $40,014. That is a strong return on a $12,996 median debt.

8

Red Rocks Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,859 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,471. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $76,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,471 median debt.

9

Aims Community College came in at #9 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,258, while out-of-state students pay about $11,786. Students borrow a median of $11,199 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Aims Community College generally make around $45,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Latter Day Saints Business College earned the #10 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,004. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,630 ten years after entry.

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Weber State University earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $21,851. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $40,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Arapahoe Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,434, with out-of-state students paying around $17,034. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Arapahoe Community College earn a median of $32,100 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Community College Of Denver ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,658 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,830 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Community College Of Denver generally make around $45,202. That is a strong return on a $18,830 median debt.

14
Pikes Peak Community College crest
Pikes Peak Community College
Colorado Springs, CO

Pikes Peak Community College landed the #14 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,510, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Students borrow a median of $16,066 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $41,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Front Range Community College placed #15 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,663, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $21,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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16

University Of Wyoming came in at #16 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $18,225. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $26,735. That is a strong return on a $18,225 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

17

Southern Utah University landed the #17 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,284 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,335. That is a strong return on a $19,284 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

18
North Idaho College crest
North Idaho College
Coeur d'Alene, ID

North Idaho College came in at #18 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,396, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $49,489. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $19,061 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $35,351. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

20

Utah State University landed the #20 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $15,107 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $28,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

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21

Pickens Technical College came in at #21 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Aurora, Pickens Technical College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,140, compared with $9,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,250. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $35,622. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.

22

Emily Griffith Technical College placed #22 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Emily Griffith Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Denver. Students borrow a median of $9,725 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Emily Griffith Technical College generally make around $42,412. That is a strong return on a $9,725 median debt.

23

University Of Idaho earned the #23 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,590 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $32,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

24

Colorado State University Pueblo landed the #24 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,720 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,325 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $49,098. Set against $25,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.

25

Brigham Young University Provo landed the #25 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,502 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,202. Set against $14,502 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools

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

26
27
28
Mesa State College crest
Mesa State College
Grand Junction, CO
29
30
31
32
33
34
Fort Lewis College crest
Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
Colorado College crest
Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO
43

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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 · 74 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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