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2023 Most Popular Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts in Massachusetts

74 Ranked Colleges
5,349 Degrees Awarded
$37,300 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts” ranking.

Visual & Performing Arts is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 10th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 149,215 degrees were awarded to students with this major. 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 Massachusetts, there were 5,349 visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,005 and $25,938 respectively.

For this year’s “Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts” ranking, we looked at 74 colleges that offer a degree in visual and performing arts. To top this list, a school must have a successful visual and performing arts program that graduates more students in the field than other colleges that offer the same major.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Visual & Performing Arts Schools

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts

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

1
Berklee College of Music crest
Berklee College of Music
Boston, Massachusetts

Out of the 74 schools in the Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Berklee College of Music landed the #1 spot on the list. Berklee College of Music is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,016 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Berklee College of Music

2
Emerson crest
Emerson College
Boston, Massachusetts

Out of the 74 schools in the Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Emerson College landed the #2 spot on the list. Emerson College is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 502 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 Emerson Visual & Performing Arts Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Massachusetts College of Art and Design. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts list. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 441 students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 more about Visual & Performing Arts at Massachusetts College of Art and Design

4
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Boston University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts list. This large school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 368 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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 full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Boston U

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The New England Conservatory of Music. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts list. The New England Conservatory of Music is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 241 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at The New England Conservatory of Music

6
Lesley crest
Lesley University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Lesley University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts ranking. Lesley University is a small school located in Cambridge, Massachusetts that handed out 162 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Lesley

7

With a ranking of #7, University of Massachusetts Amherst did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts list. University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution located in Amherst, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 191 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at University of Massachusetts Amherst

8
Northeastern crest
Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusetts

Northeastern University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #8. Northeastern is a large school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 150 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Northeastern University Visual & Performing Arts Report

9
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts

Tufts University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts ranking. Medford, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 139 students 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. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Tufts

9
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Harvard University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts ranking. Harvard is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 146 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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%.

Full Harvard University Visual & Performing Arts Report

11
UMass Dartmouth crest
University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts ranking. UMass Dartmouth is a medium-sized school located in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts that handed out 115 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth

12
Fitchburg State crest
Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #12, Fitchburg State University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts list. Located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, this medium-sized public school awarded 104 degrees to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 Fitchburg State University Visual & Performing Arts Report

13

University of Massachusetts - Lowell landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts ranking. University of Massachusetts - Lowell is located in Lowell, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 111 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

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%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at University of Massachusetts - Lowell

14
Brandeis crest
Brandeis University
Waltham, Massachusetts

Brandeis University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts ranking. Brandeis is located in Waltham, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 72 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

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 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. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 more about Visual & Performing Arts at Brandeis University

15
Bridgewater State crest
Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Bridgewater State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts ranking. Bridgewater State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. It awarded 69 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Bridgewater State University Visual & Performing Arts Report

15
Dean College crest
Dean College
Franklin, Massachusetts

Dean College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #15. Dean College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Franklin, Massachusetts. It awarded 69 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Dean College Visual & Performing Arts Report

17

Longy School of Music of Bard College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #17. Longy School of Music of Bard College is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 83 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Longy School of Music of Bard College

18
Endicott crest
Endicott College
Beverly, Massachusetts

Endicott College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #18. This small school is located in Beverly, Massachusetts, and it awarded 63 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Endicott College

19
Clark crest
Clark University
Worcester, Massachusetts

Clark University ranked #19 on this year’s Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts list. Clark University is located in Worcester, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 62 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. 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 Clark University

19

Wentworth Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #19. Wentworth Institute of Technology is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 62 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at WIT

21
Williams crest
Williams College
Williamstown, Massachusetts

Williams College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts ranking. Williams is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Williamstown, Massachusetts. It awarded 60 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Williams

21
Salem State crest
Salem State University
Salem, Massachusetts

Salem State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts ranking. Salem State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Salem, Massachusetts. It awarded 60 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Salem State

21
Hampshire crest
Hampshire College
Amherst, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #21, Hampshire College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts list. Hampshire College is located in Amherst, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 60 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Hampshire College

24
Suffolk crest
Suffolk University
Boston, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #24, Suffolk University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts list. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 57 students in 2020-2021.

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 Suffolk Visual & Performing Arts Report

25
BHCC crest
Bunker Hill Community College
Boston, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #25, Bunker Hill Community College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts list. Bunker Hill Community College is a medium-sized school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 55 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Bunker Hill Community College Visual & Performing Arts Report

25
Mt. Holyoke crest
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, Massachusetts

Mount Holyoke College ranked #25 on this year’s Most Well Attended Visual & Performing Arts Major in Massachusetts list. Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 55 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Mount Holyoke College

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