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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Nebraska

6 Colleges in the United States
$20,729 Avg Student Debt
$49,858 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Badge [Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for visual & performing arts students.

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2026 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Nebraska

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools

1

For return on investment in visual & performing arts, no school beat Metropolitan Community College Area this year. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $12,526 median debt.

2
Central Community College crest
Central Community College
Grand Island, NE

Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Central Community College, which ranked #2. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,277. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $43,218. Set against $10,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Southeast Community College Area is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,935. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $44,877. That is a strong return on a $14,935 median debt.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned it the #4 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,202 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $24,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

5

Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Wayne State College, which ranked #5. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Students borrow a median of $22,974 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $46,646 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,974 median debt.

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6

University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #6 for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,101. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $47,980 early in their careers. Set against $16,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.

7

University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #7 for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $23,460. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $40,859. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

8
Hastings College crest
Hastings College
Hastings, NE

Hastings College landed the #8 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the town of Hastings, Hastings College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,770. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $42,417. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. Hastings College admits about 72% of applicants.

9

Nebraska Wesleyan University came in at #9 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $43,572. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $23,649. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

10
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University came in at #10 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. Students from in state pay about $12,873 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $29,688. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Bellevue University earn a median of $39,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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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 · 22 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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