by our College Data Analytics Team
[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 114 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual & performing arts students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is El Centro College, our #1 best value for visual & performing arts in Texas. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,835 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $31,478. Set against $11,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #2 place for visual & performing arts. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,672 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $20,035 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,672 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
South Texas College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,389 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $38,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Del Mar College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
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El Paso Community College landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $9,347. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #7 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $18,948 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $35,874. Set against $18,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
San Antonio College earned the #8 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,839 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $37,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District earned the #9 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Northwest Vista College earned the #10 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,189 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Northwest Vista College earn a median of $29,349 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,189 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Students borrow a median of $10,058 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $30,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College earned the #12 position 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. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Collin County Community College District earned the #13 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $6,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $33,456. Set against $6,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jacinto Community College landed the #14 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. 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.
Temple College earned the #15 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, compared with $7,524 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,617 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Temple College generally make around $55,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College came in at #16 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,788. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Kilgore College placed #17 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,160, while out-of-state students pay about $5,256. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,734. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Kilgore College earn a median of $44,322 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,734 median debt.
Lamar Institute Of Technology placed #18 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $2,844, with out-of-state students paying around $12,924. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,278. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Lamar Institute Of Technology earn a median of $50,068 early in their careers. Set against $14,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $20,052. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Lone Star College System earned the #20 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,425. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Womans University earned the #21 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,811 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $39,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $56,072. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Angelina College placed #23 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,430 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,490. Students borrow a median of $7,828 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Angelina College earn a median of $50,767 early in their careers. Set against $7,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #24 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $21,369. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $25,274 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,369 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Tyler Junior College landed the #25 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in visual & performing arts:
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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 · 114 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.