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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Colorado

11 Colleges in the United States
2,114 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$35,875 Avg Early-Career Salary

Visual & Performing Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 32 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 Colorado

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Visual & Performing Arts

1
Colorado College crest
Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO

Our analysis ranked Colorado College the best school in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Colorado Springs. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 50 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Colorado College in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Colorado College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete this degree. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Colorado College

2

Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Colorado State University Fort Collins awarded about 252 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $38,399 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,868 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Colorado State University Fort Collins

3

University Of Colorado Boulder is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 321 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $27,870 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,902. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of Colorado Boulder

4

University Of Denver is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts, ranking #4. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Denver. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 129 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Denver in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from University Of Denver earn around $26,670 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Denver graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at University Of Denver

5

University Of Colorado Denver is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts, ranking #5. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. About 46% of students finish within six years. University Of Colorado Denver awarded about 226 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $30,018 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,664 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at University Of Colorado Denver

6

University Of Northern Colorado ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. There were roughly 168 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Colorado in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $33,541 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,469 to complete this degree. Get the full visual & performing arts details for University Of Northern Colorado

7

Arapahoe Community College placed #7 among the best visual & performing arts schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Littleton. There were roughly 64 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Arapahoe Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Arapahoe Community College earn around $32,100 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Arapahoe Community College

8

Front Range Community College came in at #8 for visual & performing arts this year. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. There were roughly 45 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Front Range Community College in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $21,397 early in their careers. Front Range Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Front Range Community College

9

Aims Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 52 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Aims Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $45,909 in their early career. Aims Community College graduates carry a median of $11,199 in student loans. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Aims Community College

10

Red Rocks Community College placed #10 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. Red Rocks Community College awarded about 104 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Red Rocks Community College earn around $76,340 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,471 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Red Rocks Community College

11

Community College Of Aurora came in at #11 for visual & performing arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Aurora. There were roughly 70 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Community College Of Aurora in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $20,533 in their early career. Community College Of Aurora graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Community College Of Aurora

12
Colorado Mountain College crest
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO

Colorado Mountain College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Glenwood Springs. About 14% of students finish within six years. Colorado Mountain College awarded about 17 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Colorado Mountain College earn around $48,694 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,953 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Colorado Mountain College

13
Fort Lewis College crest
Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO

Fort Lewis College came in at #13 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. Fort Lewis College graduates 36% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Fort Lewis College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Fort Lewis College generally make around $22,754. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Fort Lewis College

14

Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #14 position for visual & performing arts this year. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Roughly 31% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 129 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan State College Of Denver in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $26,693 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $30,227. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Metropolitan State College Of Denver

15
Pikes Peak Community College crest
Pikes Peak Community College
Colorado Springs, CO

Pikes Peak Community College placed #15 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 59 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Pikes Peak Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $41,037 in their early career. Pikes Peak Community College graduates carry a median of $16,066 in student loans. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Pikes Peak Community College

16

Western State College Of Colorado came in at #16 for visual & performing arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Gunnison. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 15 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Western State College Of Colorado in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Western State College Of Colorado earn around $36,712 in the first couple years of their career. Western State College Of Colorado graduates carry a median of $23,455 in student loans. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Western State College Of Colorado

17

Community College Of Denver earned the #17 position for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public university. Community College Of Denver awarded about 35 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $45,202 in their early career. Community College Of Denver graduates carry a median of $18,830 in student loans. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Community College Of Denver

18

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs placed #18 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 40 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn around $30,966 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs

19

Colorado State University Pueblo came in at #19 for visual & performing arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Pueblo. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Colorado State University Pueblo in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $49,098 early in their careers. Colorado State University Pueblo graduates carry a median of $25,325 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Colorado State University Pueblo

20
Mesa State College crest
Mesa State College
Grand Junction, CO

Mesa State College came in at #20 for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 46 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Mesa State College in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Mesa State College earn around $25,987 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Mesa State College

21

Rocky Mountain College Of Art And Design came in at #21 for visual & performing arts this year. This mid-sized private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lakewood. The six-year graduation rate is 32%. About 186 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Rocky Mountain College Of Art And Design in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Rocky Mountain College Of Art And Design generally make around $29,829. Rocky Mountain College Of Art And Design graduates carry a median of $46,544 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Rocky Mountain College Of Art And Design

22

Pickens Technical College earned the #22 position for visual & performing arts this year. This small public university is located in the city of Aurora. There were roughly 30 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Pickens Technical College in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Pickens Technical College earn a median of $35,622 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,250. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Pickens Technical College

23

Emily Griffith Technical College earned the #23 position for visual & performing arts this year. Emily Griffith Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Denver. About 17 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Emily Griffith Technical College in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Emily Griffith Technical College earn a median of $42,412 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,725 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Emily Griffith Technical College

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 32 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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