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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Washington

15 Colleges in the United States
1,725 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$36,407 Avg Early-Career Salary

Visual & Performing Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 47 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for visual & performing arts students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Visual & Performing Arts in Washington

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall visual & performing arts education in Washington.

Top Schools in Visual & Performing Arts

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Washington Seattle Campus the best school in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 375 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $29,682 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,915 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus

2

University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. University Of Washington Bothell Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Washington Bothell Campus awarded about 14 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $65,932 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,667 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for University Of Washington Bothell Campus

3
Whitman College crest
Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA

Whitman College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts, ranking #3. Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Walla Walla. Whitman College graduates 80% of students within six years. Whitman College awarded about 27 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Whitman College earn around $32,345 in the first couple years of their career. Whitman College graduates carry a median of $17,518 in student loans. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Whitman College

4

Washington State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 99 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Washington State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $44,823 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,066 to complete this degree. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Washington State University

5

Students looking for a strong visual & performing arts program will find one at Western Washington University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Washington University awarded about 167 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $23,319 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,423. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Western Washington University

6

Seattle Pacific University placed #6 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. About 62% of students finish within six years. Seattle Pacific University awarded about 57 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $38,026. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Seattle Pacific University

7
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University landed the #7 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Seattle University awarded about 65 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Seattle University earn around $35,150 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,950 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Seattle University

8

Central Washington University landed the #8 spot for visual & performing arts this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Ellensburg. Central Washington University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 168 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Central Washington University in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $40,515 in their early career. Central Washington University graduates carry a median of $25,346 in student loans. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Central Washington University

9
Bellevue College crest
Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA

Bellevue College landed the #9 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Bellevue College is a large public school located in the city of Bellevue. Bellevue College awarded about 51 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Bellevue College generally make around $45,947. Bellevue College graduates carry a median of $33,660 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Bellevue College

10

Lake Washington Institute Of Technology came in at #10 for visual & performing arts this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Kirkland. About 18 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Lake Washington Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $60,000 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Lake Washington Institute Of Technology

11

Seattle Community College North Campus came in at #11 for visual & performing arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Seattle. Seattle Community College North Campus awarded about 19 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $48,739 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,643 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Seattle Community College North Campus

12

Seattle Community College Central Campus placed #12 among the best visual & performing arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Seattle. Seattle Community College Central Campus awarded about 70 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Seattle Community College Central Campus earn a median of $29,775 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,085. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Seattle Community College Central Campus

13

University Of Puget Sound landed the #13 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of Puget Sound graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Puget Sound in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Puget Sound earn a median of $26,064 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,758 to complete this degree. Get the full visual & performing arts details for University Of Puget Sound

14

Eastern Washington University placed #14 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Eastern Washington University awarded about 105 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Eastern Washington University earn around $25,090 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,060. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Eastern Washington University

15

Pacific Lutheran University placed #15 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Pacific Lutheran University graduates 69% of students within six years. Pacific Lutheran University awarded about 48 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $21,435 in their early career. Pacific Lutheran University graduates carry a median of $25,723 in student loans. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Pacific Lutheran University

16

Highline Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Des Moines. There were roughly 28 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Highline Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Highline Community College earn around $55,459 in the first couple years of their career. Highline Community College graduates carry a median of $8,958 in student loans. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Highline Community College

17

Shoreline Community College came in at #17 for visual & performing arts this year. Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Shoreline. Shoreline Community College awarded about 116 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Shoreline Community College generally make around $62,009. Students borrow a median of $17,644 to complete this degree. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Shoreline Community College

18

The Evergreen State College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Olympia. The six-year graduation rate is 41%. The Evergreen State College awarded about 28 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from The Evergreen State College earn around $26,942 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,850 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for The Evergreen State College

19

Spokane Falls Community College earned the #19 position for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Spokane Falls Community College awarded about 37 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Spokane Falls Community College earn around $21,508 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,657 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Spokane Falls Community College

20

Clover Park Technical College earned the #20 position for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 32 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Clover Park Technical College in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $42,209 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,154. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Clover Park Technical College

21
Walla Walla University crest
Walla Walla University
College Place, WA

Walla Walla University landed the #21 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of College Place, Walla Walla University is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 21 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Walla Walla University in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Walla Walla University earn a median of $28,436 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Walla Walla University

22

Seattle Film Institute earned the #22 position for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Film Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Seattle Film Institute awarded about 42 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Seattle Film Institute generally make around $24,237. Students borrow a median of $21,664 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Seattle Film Institute

23

Northwest College Of Art And Design came in at #23 for visual & performing arts this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Tacoma. About 58% of students finish within six years. Northwest College Of Art And Design awarded about 25 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $27,694 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,750. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Northwest College Of Art And Design

24

Cornish College Of The Arts earned the #24 position for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Cornish College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Cornish College Of The Arts awarded about 81 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cornish College Of The Arts earn a median of $18,434 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Cornish College Of The Arts

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 47 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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