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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Southeast Region

143 Colleges in the United States
$21,293 Avg Student Debt
$47,573 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 530 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual & performing arts students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Southeast 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

Our analysis ranked Seminole State College Of Florida the best value for a degree in visual & performing arts in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,613 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $35,284. That is a strong return on a $19,613 median debt.

2

Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Florida State College At Jacksonville, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $19,139. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Students borrow a median of $17,983 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $30,629 early in their careers. Set against $17,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.

4
Berea College crest
Berea College
Berea, KY

Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Berea College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $20,036. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Hinds Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,385. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $34,003 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,385 median debt.

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6
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,088 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

7

Central Piedmont Community College came in at #7 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $30,979 early in their careers. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Trident Technical College came in at #8 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College earned the #9 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. That is a strong return on a $24,385 median debt.

10

Fayetteville Technical Community College placed #10 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Haywood Community College earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,580, compared with $8,724 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Haywood Community College generally make around $35,767.

12

Chattahoochee Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $44,673. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.

13

Wilkes Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #14 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,518 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $22,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Forsyth Technical Community College earned the #15 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,276, with out-of-state students paying around $6,884. Students borrow a median of $16,374 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $29,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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16

Wayne Community College landed the #16 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

West Georgia Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.

18

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #18 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Miami Dade College came in at #19 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $27,447 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Atlanta Technical College landed the #20 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,382, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,655 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Atlanta Technical College generally make around $35,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins came in at #21 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public school located in the city of Warner Robins. In-state tuition and fees average $3,448, compared with $6,016 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,693 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins generally make around $39,765. That is a strong return on a $11,693 median debt.

22

Virginia Western Community College came in at #22 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $31,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Indian River State College placed #23 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $44,082. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Hillsborough Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,142. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $44,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Tri County Technical College came in at #25 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pendleton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,448, while out-of-state students pay about $12,007. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,787 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Tri County Technical College earn a median of $43,438 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,787 median debt.

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

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

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
35
36
37
Lanier Technical College crest
Lanier Technical College
Gainesville, GA
38
39
40
Germanna Community College crest
Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, VA
41
42
43
44
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. 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 · 530 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 143 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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