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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Southwest Region

56 Colleges in the United States
17,382 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$37,037 Avg Early-Career Salary

Visual & Performing Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 224 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best visual & performing arts schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Visual & Performing Arts in the Southwest Region

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

Top Schools in Visual & Performing Arts

1

Texas A And M University College Station is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in visual & performing arts. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $22,420 in student loans. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Texas A And M University College Station

2

The University Of Texas At Austin is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts, ranking #2. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 589 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $33,983 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,980. Get the full visual & performing arts details for The University Of Texas At Austin

3

Southern Methodist University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dallas. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 185 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $28,065. Students borrow a median of $20,065 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Southern Methodist University

4
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

Students looking for a strong visual & performing arts program will find one at Rice University, which ranked #4. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 126 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $30,454 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,904. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Rice University

5

Students looking for a strong visual & performing arts program will find one at Texas Christian University, which ranked #5. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fort Worth. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 150 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Texas Christian University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $21,221. Typical student debt for the program is $24,533. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Texas Christian University

6

Arizona State University earned the #6 position for visual & performing arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Arizona State University awarded about 891 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Arizona State University earn around $31,007 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,625. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Arizona State University

7

University Of Houston landed the #7 spot for visual & performing arts this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. University Of Houston graduates 65% of students within six years. About 332 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of Houston in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from University Of Houston earn around $45,167 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,921 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for University Of Houston

8

University Of Arizona earned the #8 position for visual & performing arts this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 368 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from University Of Arizona earn around $29,438 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,158. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at University Of Arizona

9

Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for visual & performing arts this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Oklahoma State University Main Campus awarded about 163 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $34,516 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,111. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Oklahoma State University Main Campus

10

Collin County Community College District placed #10 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. Collin County Community College District awarded about 304 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $33,456 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,900. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Collin County Community College District

11

The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #11 position for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. The University Of Texas At Dallas awarded about 412 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $28,494. Students borrow a median of $20,434 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from The University Of Texas At Dallas

12

Northern Arizona University earned the #12 position for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 187 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Northern Arizona University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $30,267. Students borrow a median of $20,751 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Northern Arizona University

13

Texas State University San Marcos came in at #13 for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 493 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $34,393 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,309 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Texas State University San Marcos

14

University Of North Texas ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. University Of North Texas graduates 61% of students within six years. About 828 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $32,569. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for University Of North Texas

15

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #15 for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 236 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn around $25,293 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

16

Abilene Christian University earned the #16 position for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Abilene Christian University in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $38,553 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Abilene Christian University

17

Austin Community College District ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Austin Community College District awarded about 468 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $38,899 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,389 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Austin Community College District

18

University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Houston. University Of Houston Clear Lake graduates 52% of students within six years. About 51 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of Houston Clear Lake in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $25,274 in their early career. University Of Houston Clear Lake graduates carry a median of $21,369 in student loans. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of Houston Clear Lake

19

Baylor University placed #19 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 183 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Baylor University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $16,004. Typical student debt for the program is $26,166. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Baylor University

20

Texas Womans University came in at #20 for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 115 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Texas Womans University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Texas Womans University earn around $39,100 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,811 to complete this degree. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Texas Womans University

21

Texas Tech University placed #21 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 263 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $37,631 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,550. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Texas Tech University

22

Dallas Baptist University landed the #22 spot for visual & performing arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dallas. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Dallas Baptist University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $34,291 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,781. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Dallas Baptist University

23

Arizona State University Skysong earned the #23 position for visual & performing arts this year. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. About 319 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of $29,860 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,026. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Arizona State University Skysong

24

Stephen F Austin State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 206 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Stephen F Austin State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $41,227 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,568. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Stephen F Austin State University

25
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University earned the #25 position for visual & performing arts this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The six-year graduation rate is 37%. Lamar University awarded about 57 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $42,328. Students borrow a median of $26,407 to complete this degree. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Lamar University

Rest of the Top 50 Visual & Performing Arts Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong visual & performing arts education:

26
Austin College crest
Austin College
Sherman, TX
27
28
29
Southwestern University crest
Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX
39
40
41
42
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX
43
Oklahoma City University crest
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, OK
44
45
46
47
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX
48
49
Blinn College crest
Blinn College
Brenham, TX
50

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for visual & performing arts:

Narrow Visual & Performing Arts Schools by State

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View All Visual & Performing Arts Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 224 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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