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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among visual & performing arts schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,526 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $30,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Central Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $43,218. That is a strong return on a $10,277 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at University Of Minnesota Morris, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,526, with out-of-state students paying around $16,710. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,797 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Morris generally make around $44,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
St Charles Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kirkwood Community College earned it the #5 place for visual & performing arts. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,519. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $32,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
ADBLOCK #101
Western Iowa Tech Community College placed #6 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,742 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Community College Area landed the #7 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $44,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Louis Community College came in at #8 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Students borrow a median of $11,424 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $25,929 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Century College placed #9 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $15,000. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $41,814. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bismarck State College came in at #10 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. In-state tuition and fees average $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $13,340 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Bismarck State College earn a median of $61,364 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Southern State University came in at #21 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Students borrow a median of $22,241 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $29,309. Set against $22,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Hawkeye Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $17,001. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $41,902. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Hays State University landed the #23 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $22,937. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $31,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Washburn University placed #24 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $21,175. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Set against $21,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #25 among the best values for visual & performing arts. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,979 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $31,020 early in their careers. Set against $23,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s visual & performing arts value ranking:
Narrow Visual & Performing Arts Schools by State
[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.
