2026 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia

1

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

Leading the list is James Madison University, our #1 school for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 287 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from James Madison University earn around $33,714 in the first couple years of their career. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $21,046 in student loans. See the full visual & performing arts program report for James Madison University

2

University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

University Of Richmond is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of Richmond graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Richmond in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from University Of Richmond earn around $53,815 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Richmond graduates carry a median of $21,634 in student loans. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of Richmond

3

College Of William And Mary
Williamsburg, VA

A rank of #3 makes College Of William And Mary one of the top schools for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. College Of William And Mary awarded about 20 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from College Of William And Mary earn around $29,752 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,935 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for College Of William And Mary

4

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts, ranking #4. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 178 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $40,510 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,234 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

5

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 61 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $23,372 in their early career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,636 in student loans. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of Virginia Main Campus

6

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University placed #6 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Mason University awarded about 325 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $32,268 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,951. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at George Mason University

7

Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College placed #7 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Bridgewater College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Bridgewater College generally make around $38,344. Typical student debt for the program is $26,423. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Bridgewater College

8

University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington came in at #8 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Mary Washington awarded about 45 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $24,070. Students borrow a median of $23,314 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at University Of Mary Washington

9

Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University earned the #9 position for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Longwood University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $35,538. Students borrow a median of $25,688 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Longwood University

10

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #10 position for visual & performing arts this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 709 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $29,916 early in their careers. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $25,079 in student loans. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Virginia Commonwealth University

11

Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA

Northern Virginia Community College placed #11 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 227 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $33,232 early in their careers. Northern Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Northern Virginia Community College

12

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University placed #12 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 81 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Old Dominion University in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $27,535 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,355. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Old Dominion University

13

Marymount University
Arlington, VA

Marymount University came in at #13 for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Marymount University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 25 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Marymount University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Marymount University generally make around $44,175. Marymount University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Marymount University

14

Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University placed #14 among the best visual & performing arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Radford. About 49% of students finish within six years. Radford University awarded about 100 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Radford University earn a median of $31,113 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,395 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Radford University

15

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 602 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Liberty University earn around $35,885 in the first couple years of their career. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $26,487 in student loans. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Liberty University

16

Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA

Christopher Newport University earned the #16 position for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public university. About 72% of students finish within six years. Christopher Newport University awarded about 49 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Christopher Newport University earn around $23,656 in the first couple years of their career. Christopher Newport University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Christopher Newport University

17

Virginia Western Community College
Roanoke, VA

Virginia Western Community College earned the #17 position for visual & performing arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Roanoke. Virginia Western Community College awarded about 15 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $31,440 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete this degree. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Virginia Western Community College

18

Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University earned the #18 position for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 145 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Shenandoah University in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $17,818 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,943. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Shenandoah University

19

Hollins University
Roanoke, VA

Hollins University earned the #19 position for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Roanoke, Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Hollins University graduates 65% of students within six years. Hollins University awarded about 49 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Hollins University earn around $26,798 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Hollins University

20

Tidewater Community College
Norfolk, VA

Tidewater Community College landed the #20 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. There were roughly 117 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Tidewater Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $22,935. Tidewater Community College graduates carry a median of $10,195 in student loans. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Tidewater Community College

21

John Tyler Community College
Chester, VA

John Tyler Community College earned the #21 position for visual & performing arts this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Chester. John Tyler Community College awarded about 61 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $18,224 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,000. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at John Tyler Community College

22

Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, VA

Germanna Community College earned the #22 position for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. Germanna Community College awarded about 15 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Germanna Community College generally make around $41,880. Germanna Community College graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Germanna Community College

23

Mary Baldwin College
Staunton, VA

Mary Baldwin College earned the #23 position for visual & performing arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Staunton. Mary Baldwin College graduates 39% of students within six years. There were roughly 61 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Mary Baldwin College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Mary Baldwin College earn around $60,386 in the first couple years of their career. Mary Baldwin College graduates carry a median of $29,562 in student loans. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Mary Baldwin College

24

Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VA

Norfolk State University came in at #24 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. Norfolk State University awarded about 70 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Norfolk State University

25

Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University came in at #25 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Regent University awarded about 79 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $43,447. Regent University graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Regent University