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2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois

89 Ranked Colleges
5,631 Degrees Awarded
$30,800 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 149,215 visual and performing arts students received their degree, making the major the 10th most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, visual and performing arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $26,700 and had an average of $25,051 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 5,631 visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,194 and $25,846 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois” ranking analyzed 89 colleges that offered a degree in visual and performing arts. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their visual and performing arts program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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The visual & performing arts school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois visual & performing arts students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts in Illinois

1
The Academy crest
American Academy of Art
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend American Academy of Art. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois list. The Academy is a private for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at American Academy of Art

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend School of the Art Institute of Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois list. School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 754 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at School of the Art Institute of Chicago

3
Columbia crest
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 89 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia College Chicago landed the #3 spot on the list. Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 879 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Columbia

4
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Millikin University
Decatur, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Millikin University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois list. Millikin University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Decatur, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 114 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Millikin University Visual & Performing Arts Report

5
Principia crest
Principia College
Elsah, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Principia College. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois. Located in Elsah, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 17 degrees to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Principia

6
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Roosevelt University
Chicago, Illinois

Roosevelt University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 174 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Roosevelt University

7
Eureka College crest
Eureka College
Eureka, Illinois

Eureka College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking. Eureka College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Eureka, Illinois. It awarded 14 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Eureka College

8
North Central crest
North Central College
Naperville, Illinois

With a ranking of #8, North Central College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois list. North Central College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Naperville, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 73 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full North Central Visual & Performing Arts Report

9
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #9. DePaul University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 531 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full DePaul University Visual & Performing Arts Report

10
Greenville crest
Greenville University
Greenville, Illinois

With a ranking of #10, Greenville University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois list. Located in Greenville, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 26 diplomas to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Greenville

11
Knox crest
Knox College
Galesburg, Illinois

Knox College ranked #11 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois list. This small school is located in Galesburg, Illinois, and it awarded 25 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Knox Visual & Performing Arts Report

12
SAE Institute - Chicago crest
SAE Institute - Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

SAE Institute - Chicago ranked #12 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois list. SAE Institute - Chicago is a small private for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 11 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Full SAE Institute - Chicago Visual & Performing Arts Report

13
Illinois Wesleyan crest
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking. Located in Bloomington, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 27 diplomas to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Illinois Wesleyan University

14
Wheaton College Illinois crest
Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #14. Wheaton College Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wheaton, Illinois. It awarded 55 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Wheaton College Illinois

15
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking. Located in Charleston, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 116 degrees to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Eastern Illinois University

16
Augustana crest
Augustana College
Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois list. Augustana is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Rock Island, Illinois. It awarded 53 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full Augustana College Visual & Performing Arts Report

17
Bradley crest
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking. Bradley is a medium-sized school located in Peoria, Illinois that handed out 89 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Bradley University

18
Illinois State crest
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois

With a ranking of #18, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois list. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school awarded 309 degrees to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Illinois State University

19
Judson crest
Judson University
Elgin, Illinois

Judson University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking. This small school is located in Elgin, Illinois, and it awarded 15 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Judson University Visual & Performing Arts Report

20
Blackburn crest
Blackburn College
Carlinville, Illinois

Blackburn College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #20. Carlinville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

Full Blackburn College Visual & Performing Arts Report

21
Monmouth crest
Monmouth College
Monmouth, Illinois

With a ranking of #21, Monmouth College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois list. Located in Monmouth, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Monmouth

22
Elmhurst crest
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking. Elmhurst University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Elmhurst, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 42 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Elmhurst University

23
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking. Northwestern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 378 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Northwestern

24

With a ranking of #24, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois list. NIU is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 188 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Northern Illinois University Visual & Performing Arts Report

25
Lake Forest crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in Illinois ranking. Lake Forest is a small school located in Lake Forest, Illinois that handed out 18 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Lake Forest

Notes and References

References

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