2026 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina

1

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

No school ranked higher than University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill this year for visual & performing arts. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 96 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $29,840 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,008. See the full visual & performing arts program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

2

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts, ranking #2. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 115 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $41,405 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,584. Get the full visual & performing arts details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

3

Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts, ranking #3. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Wake Forest University awarded about 22 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $67,369. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Wake Forest University

4

Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Davidson College graduates 91% of students within six years. About 15 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Davidson College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Davidson College generally make around $41,505. Students borrow a median of $19,906 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Davidson College

5

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 49 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $83,388 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Duke University

6

High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University placed #6 among the best visual & performing arts schools. High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of High Point. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 93 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at High Point University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from High Point University earn around $113,352 in the first couple years of their career. High Point University graduates carry a median of $23,785 in student loans. See the full visual & performing arts program report for High Point University

7

Elon University
Elon, NC

Elon University placed #7 among the best visual & performing arts schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Elon. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 76 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $25,100 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,466. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Elon University

8

Appalachian State University
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University earned the #8 position for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Appalachian State University graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 248 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Appalachian State University earn around $27,146 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,127 to complete this degree. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Appalachian State University

9

Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, NC

Forsyth Technical Community College came in at #9 for visual & performing arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. There were roughly 17 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Forsyth Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Forsyth Technical Community College earn a median of $29,715 early in their careers. Forsyth Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $16,374 in student loans. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Forsyth Technical Community College

10

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #10 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 166 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $29,239 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,227. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

11

University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts
Winston Salem, NC

University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public school located in the city of Winston Salem. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. There were roughly 278 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $22,275 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,752 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts

12

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University placed #12 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. East Carolina University awarded about 205 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $23,954 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,280 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at East Carolina University

13

University Of North Carolina At Asheville
Asheville, NC

University Of North Carolina At Asheville earned the #13 position for visual & performing arts this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Asheville. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 106 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Asheville in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $23,493 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Asheville graduates carry a median of $23,926 in student loans. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of North Carolina At Asheville

14

Meredith College
Raleigh, NC

Meredith College placed #14 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 47 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Meredith College in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Meredith College earn around $36,357 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Meredith College

15

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wilmington, NC

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 161 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $35,379. Students borrow a median of $25,663 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

16

Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC

Wake Technical Community College earned the #16 position for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. Wake Technical Community College awarded about 481 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $32,153 in their early career. Wake Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $13,414 in student loans. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Wake Technical Community College

17

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University landed the #17 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Western Carolina University graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 141 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Western Carolina University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Western Carolina University earn around $25,559 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,002. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Western Carolina University

18

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #18 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro awarded about 340 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $22,841. Typical student debt for the program is $25,630. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

19

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

Central Piedmont Community College landed the #19 spot for visual & performing arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. Central Piedmont Community College awarded about 626 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $30,979 early in their careers. Central Piedmont Community College graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Central Piedmont Community College

20

Guilford Technical Community College
Jamestown, NC

Guilford Technical Community College came in at #20 for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Jamestown, Guilford Technical Community College is a large public institution. About 70 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Guilford Technical Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Guilford Technical Community College earn around $24,827 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Guilford Technical Community College

21

Salem College
Winston-Salem, NC

Salem College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Salem College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 27 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Salem College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Salem College generally make around $43,226. Students borrow a median of $26,789 to complete this degree. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Salem College

22

Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #22 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 220 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Fayetteville Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $40,584 in their early career. Fayetteville Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Fayetteville Technical Community College

23

Catawba Valley Community College
Hickory, NC

Catawba Valley Community College came in at #23 for visual & performing arts this year. Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Hickory. About 21 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Catawba Valley Community College in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Catawba Valley Community College earn a median of $38,219 early in their careers. Catawba Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $9,842 in student loans. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Catawba Valley Community College

24

Haywood Community College
Clyde, NC

Haywood Community College earned the #24 position for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public institution. There were roughly 29 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Haywood Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Haywood Community College earn around $35,767 in the first couple years of their career. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Haywood Community College

25

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke
Pembroke, NC

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #25 for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $40,578. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full visual & performing arts details for University Of North Carolina At Pembroke