2026 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Illinois

1

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago tops our 2026 ranking of the best visual & performing arts schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 65 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. See the full visual & performing arts program report for University Of Chicago

2

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern University awarded about 374 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $27,363 early in their careers. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $17,822 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Northwestern University

3

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 56 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $58,568 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,625. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Loyola University Chicago

4

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 247 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Illinois State University earn around $34,768 in the first couple years of their career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,735 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Illinois State University

5

Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Students looking for a strong visual & performing arts program will find one at Lake Forest College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 78% of students finish within six years. Lake Forest College awarded about 21 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Lake Forest College earn around $41,168 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,661 to complete this degree. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Lake Forest College

6

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 295 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $26,774 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $22,183 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

7

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 593 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $24,503 early in their careers. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $25,302 in student loans. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Depaul University

8

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Wheaton College Illinois graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $26,114 early in their careers. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $24,086 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Wheaton College Illinois

9

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University earned the #9 position for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. There were roughly 93 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $39,081. Typical student debt for the program is $25,820. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Eastern Illinois University

10

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #10 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 172 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $25,149 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $24,458 in student loans. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of Illinois At Chicago

11

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #11 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Northeastern Illinois University graduates 22% of students within six years. Northeastern Illinois University awarded about 49 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $30,845. Typical student debt for the program is $20,319. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Northeastern Illinois University

12

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University earned the #12 position for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $51,483. Aurora University graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Aurora University

13

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

Saint Xavier University came in at #13 for visual & performing arts this year. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Saint Xavier University in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Saint Xavier University earn around $51,753 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Xavier University graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Saint Xavier University

14

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College came in at #14 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. About 59 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Harper College in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $44,523 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete this degree. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Harper College

15

North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College placed #15 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 64% of students finish within six years. North Central College awarded about 41 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $22,909. Typical student debt for the program is $21,452. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from North Central College

16

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University placed #16 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 176 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $33,834 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,642 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Northern Illinois University

17

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage placed #17 among the best visual & performing arts schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. About 109 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $31,798. College Of Dupage graduates carry a median of $11,077 in student loans. See the full visual & performing arts program report for College Of Dupage

18

Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

Elgin Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. About 29 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Elgin Community College in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,727. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Elgin Community College

19

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College placed #19 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Elmhurst College graduates 70% of students within six years. Elmhurst College awarded about 49 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $22,653 early in their careers. Elmhurst College graduates carry a median of $27,966 in student loans. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Elmhurst College

20

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University placed #20 among the best visual & performing arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Macomb. Western Illinois University graduates 45% of students within six years. About 93 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Western Illinois University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $31,342. Western Illinois University graduates carry a median of $28,893 in student loans. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Western Illinois University

21

Greenville College
Greenville, IL

Greenville College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greenville. Greenville College graduates 40% of students within six years. About 13 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Greenville College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Greenville College generally make around $36,911. Typical student debt for the program is $25,933. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Greenville College

22

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College landed the #22 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. About 40 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Joliet Junior College earn around $40,118 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,995. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Joliet Junior College

23

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago came in at #23 for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 980 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $24,077 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,699. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Columbia College Chicago

24

Sauk Valley Community College
Dixon, IL

Sauk Valley Community College earned the #24 position for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the rural area of Dixon, Sauk Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 25 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Sauk Valley Community College in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Sauk Valley Community College earn a median of $48,855 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,811. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Sauk Valley Community College

25

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #25 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 84 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $31,713 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,792 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale