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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Texas

34 Colleges in the United States
8,126 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$36,305 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 114 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 Texas

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

Top Schools in Visual & Performing Arts

1

Leading the list is Texas A And M University College Station, our #1 school for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. 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. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $64,891 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,420 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report 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. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $33,983 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,980. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from The University Of Texas At Austin

3

A rank of #3 makes Southern Methodist University one of the top schools for visual & performing arts. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dallas. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Southern Methodist University awarded about 185 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $28,065 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,065. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Southern Methodist University

4
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 126 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Rice University earn a median of $30,454 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,904. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Rice University

5

Texas Christian University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts, ranking #5. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 85% of students finish within six years. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,533 to complete this degree. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Texas Christian University

6

University Of Houston ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Houston. University Of Houston graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Houston awarded about 332 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $45,167 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,921 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of Houston

7

Collin County Community College District came in at #7 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. There were roughly 304 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Collin County Community College District 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. Students borrow a median of $6,900 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Collin County Community College District

8

The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #8 position for visual & performing arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Richardson. About 76% of students finish within six years. 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. See the full visual & performing arts program report for The University Of Texas At Dallas

9

Texas State University San Marcos earned the #9 position for visual & performing arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Marcos. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 493 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $34,393 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,309 to complete this degree. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Texas State University San Marcos

10

University Of North Texas earned the #10 position for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. About 61% of students finish 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. Typical student debt for the program is $24,119. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at University Of North Texas

11

Abilene Christian University earned the #11 position for visual & performing arts this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Abilene. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. 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. Abilene Christian University graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Abilene Christian University

12

Austin Community College District earned the #12 position for visual & performing arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. Austin Community College District awarded about 468 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $38,899 in their early career. Austin Community College District graduates carry a median of $17,389 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Austin Community College District

13

University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #13 among the best visual & performing arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Houston. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 51 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston Clear Lake in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from University Of Houston Clear Lake earn around $25,274 in the first couple years of their 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

14

Baylor University placed #14 among the best visual & performing arts schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waco. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 183 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Baylor University in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Baylor University earn around $16,004 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,166. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Baylor University

15

Texas Womans University came in at #15 for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. 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. Texas Womans University graduates carry a median of $25,811 in student loans. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Texas Womans University

16

Texas Tech University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. Texas Tech University awarded about 263 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $37,631 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,550 to complete this degree. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Texas Tech University

17

Dallas Baptist University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Dallas Baptist University graduates carry a median of $22,781 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Dallas Baptist University

18

Stephen F Austin State University placed #18 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 206 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Stephen F Austin State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $41,227. Students borrow a median of $26,568 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Stephen F Austin State University

19
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 37%. Lamar University awarded about 57 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Lamar University earn around $42,328 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,407. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Lamar University

20
Austin College crest
Austin College
Sherman, TX

Austin College came in at #20 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Sherman, Austin College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 12 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Austin College in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Austin College earn around $32,287 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,264. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Austin College

21

The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At Arlington awarded about 257 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $28,478 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,829 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for The University Of Texas At Arlington

22

Sam Houston State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 212 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Sam Houston State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $47,723 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,845. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Sam Houston State University

23
Southwestern University crest
Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX

Southwestern University earned the #23 position for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Georgetown, Southwestern University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Southwestern University graduates 73% of students within six years. About 31 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Southwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Southwestern University generally make around $36,990. Southwestern University graduates carry a median of $24,975 in student loans. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Southwestern University

24

West Texas A And M University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 71 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at West Texas A And M University in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $46,126 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,035. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at West Texas A And M University

25

The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Tyler. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Tyler in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $37,104 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,959 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at The University Of Texas At Tyler

Rest of the Top 50 Visual & Performing Arts Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s visual & performing arts ranking:

26
27
28
29
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX
30
31
32
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX
33
34
35
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX
36
Blinn College crest
Blinn College
Brenham, TX
37
38
39
Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX
40
41
42
43
44
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX
45
46
47
48
49
San Antonio College crest
San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX
50

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 114 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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