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

12 Colleges in the United States
1,585 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$40,089 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.

College Factual analyzed 52 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 Minnesota

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

Top Schools in Visual & Performing Arts

1

Leading the list is University Of St Thomas Minnesota, our #1 school for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 48 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn around $65,183 in the first couple years of their career. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at University Of St Thomas Minnesota

2
Carleton College crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Students looking for a strong visual & performing arts program will find one at Carleton College, which ranked #2. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Carleton College graduates 90% of students within six years. About 24 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Carleton College in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $45,096 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,566. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Carleton College

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the top schools for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 354 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $29,389 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,837. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

4
College Of Saint Benedict crest
College Of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, MN

A rank of #4 makes College Of Saint Benedict one of the top schools for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Saint Joseph, College Of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit university. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 16 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at College Of Saint Benedict in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of College Of Saint Benedict earn a median of $47,105 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,619 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for College Of Saint Benedict

5
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

Students looking for a strong visual & performing arts program will find one at St Olaf College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 62 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at St Olaf College in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $25,355 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,540. Get the full visual & performing arts details for St Olaf College

6
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College placed #6 among the best visual & performing arts schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. Macalester College awarded about 30 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $42,517 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,147. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Macalester College

7

Winona State University came in at #7 for visual & performing arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Winona. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 24 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Winona State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Winona State University earn around $53,109 in the first couple years of their career. Winona State University graduates carry a median of $24,551 in student loans. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Winona State University

8

Gustavus Adolphus College earned the #8 position for visual & performing arts this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Saint Peter. About 77% of students finish within six years. Gustavus Adolphus College awarded about 36 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $28,601 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,197 to complete this degree. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Gustavus Adolphus College

9

Alexandria Technical And Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 24 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Alexandria Technical And Community College in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Alexandria Technical And Community College earn a median of $31,830 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Alexandria Technical And Community College

10

Dunwoody College Of Technology ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Dunwoody College Of Technology graduates 86% of students within six years. Dunwoody College Of Technology awarded about 17 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Dunwoody College Of Technology earn around $40,302 in the first couple years of their career. Dunwoody College Of Technology graduates carry a median of $18,973 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Dunwoody College Of Technology

11

Dakota County Technical College earned the #11 position for visual & performing arts this year. Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rosemount. About 44 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Dakota County Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Dakota County Technical College generally make around $50,429. Typical student debt for the program is $13,474. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Dakota County Technical College

12

University Of Minnesota Morris earned the #12 position for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 16 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Morris in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Morris generally make around $44,479. Students borrow a median of $19,797 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for University Of Minnesota Morris

13

Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #13 position for visual & performing arts this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 91 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $34,639. Students borrow a median of $26,131 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Minnesota State University Mankato

14

Northwestern College Minnesota earned the #14 position for visual & performing arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Northwestern College Minnesota awarded about 32 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Northwestern College Minnesota earn a median of $26,086 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,505 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Northwestern College Minnesota

15

Metropolitan State University came in at #15 for visual & performing arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Saint Paul. Metropolitan State University graduates 44% of students within six years. About 17 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Metropolitan State University in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $54,195 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $30,822. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Metropolitan State University

16

Concordia College At Moorhead earned the #16 position for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. Concordia College At Moorhead awarded about 20 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Concordia College At Moorhead generally make around $29,986. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Concordia College At Moorhead

17
Hennepin Technical College crest
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, MN

Hennepin Technical College earned the #17 position for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 13 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Hennepin Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College generally make around $52,059. Students borrow a median of $17,887 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Hennepin Technical College

18

University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Duluth. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 68 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $29,453 early in their careers. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates carry a median of $25,111 in student loans. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of Minnesota Duluth

19
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Century College placed #19 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. Century College awarded about 132 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Century College generally make around $41,814. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Century College

20

Minneapolis Community And Technical College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Minneapolis Community And Technical College awarded about 136 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn around $39,754 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,439. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Minneapolis Community And Technical College

21

Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #21 for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 65 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Moorhead in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $32,517 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,692. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Minnesota State University Moorhead

22

Minnesota State Community And Technical College landed the #22 spot for visual & performing arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. About 12 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Minnesota State Community And Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Minnesota State Community And Technical College earn around $42,972 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,197. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Minnesota State Community And Technical College

23

North Hennepin Community College placed #23 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. North Hennepin Community College awarded about 22 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from North Hennepin Community College generally make around $52,492. Typical student debt for the program is $21,241. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from North Hennepin Community College

24

Rochester Community And Technical College landed the #24 spot for visual & performing arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Rochester. About 20 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Rochester Community And Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $47,439 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,291 to complete this degree. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Rochester Community And Technical College

25

Minneapolis College Of Art And Design landed the #25 spot for visual & performing arts this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Minneapolis College Of Art And Design graduates 51% of students within six years. Minneapolis College Of Art And Design awarded about 140 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $22,144 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,868 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Minneapolis College Of Art And Design

Rest of the Top 29 Visual & Performing Arts Schools

These schools also placed among the best for visual & performing arts this year:

26
27
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29

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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 · 52 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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