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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

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

56 Colleges in the United States
$19,312 Avg Student Debt
$47,584 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Badge [Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 224 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 Southwest 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
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

Leading the list is El Centro College, our #1 best value for visual & performing arts in the Southwest Region. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,835 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $31,478 early in their careers. Set against $11,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Texas A And M International University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,672. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $20,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.

3

Pima Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,541 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $25,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $6,868. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.

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6

Austin Community College District earned the #6 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,389 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $38,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Oklahoma City Community College landed the #7 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,209. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $27,738. Set against $13,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College earned the #8 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

El Paso Community College earned the #9 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $9,347 early in their careers. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10
San Juan College crest
San Juan College
Farmington, NM

San Juan College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. Students from in state pay about $1,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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San Antonio College crest
San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX

San Antonio College landed the #11 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $11,839. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $37,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #12 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $18,948. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $35,874. Set against $18,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

13

Central Arizona College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,635 median debt.

14

Tarrant County College District placed #14 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15
Northwest Vista College crest
Northwest Vista College
San Antonio, TX

Northwest Vista College landed the #15 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Northwest Vista College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $9,189 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $29,349. That is a strong return on a $9,189 median debt.

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16

Tulsa Community College placed #16 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

New Mexico State University Dona Ana ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,322, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $39,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #18 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,058. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. Set against $10,058 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19
Yavapai College crest
Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ

Yavapai College earned the #19 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Students borrow a median of $14,087 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $52,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Houston Community College came in at #20 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $19,223. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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21

New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #21 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $17,071. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $20,381. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

22

San Jacinto Community College landed the #22 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $11,376. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $21,173 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Collin County Community College District came in at #23 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,014, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $6,900. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $33,456. That is a strong return on a $6,900 median debt.

24
Temple College crest
Temple College
Temple, TX

Temple College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Temple College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Temple. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $7,524. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,617 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $55,262. That is a strong return on a $16,617 median debt.

25
Kilgore College crest
Kilgore College
Kilgore, TX

Kilgore College came in at #25 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kilgore. Students from in state pay about $2,160 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,256. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,734. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $44,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in visual & performing arts:

26
South Plains College crest
South Plains College
Levelland, TX
27
28
29
30
31
32
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX
33
34
Angelina College crest
Angelina College
Lufkin, TX
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX
47
48
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX
49
50

Narrow Visual & Performing Arts Schools by State

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 224 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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