by our College Data Analytics Team
[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 34 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value visual & performing arts schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in visual & performing arts, no school beat Berea College this year. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,658. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $5,801. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $20,036. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
Hazard Community And Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,212 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $32,626. That is a strong return on a $12,212 median debt.
Northern Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $25,588. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $27,529. That is a strong return on a $25,588 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Big Sandy Community And Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of Prestonsburg, Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,588 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $33,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Murray State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $25,952 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $29,286 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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Eastern Kentucky University landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $28,210 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Western Kentucky University placed #7 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,579 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $30,060 early in their careers. Set against $24,579 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Morehead State University earned the #8 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $24,424. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky landed the #9 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,539 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $31,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisville landed the #10 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $22,315. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $23,454 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,315 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas More College came in at #11 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Thomas More College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Crestview Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,025. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $31,608 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Thomas More College generally make around $57,440. That is a strong return on a $31,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Kentucky Wesleyan College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Owensboro, Kentucky Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,673. Students borrow a median of $25,333 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $32,568. Set against $25,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.