General Visual & Performing Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general visual & performing arts programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 170 schools to find the best for general visual & performing arts students.
Choosing a Great General Visual & Performing Arts School
The general visual & performing arts program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
General Visual & Performing Arts Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general visual & performing arts. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 38 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from University Of Southern California earn around $75,677 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
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Rice University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 13 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Rice University graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans.
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Texas A And M University College Station is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general visual & performing arts, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 17 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,420.
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University Of Missouri Columbia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general visual & performing arts, ranking #4. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. About 41 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $29,775 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,719 in student loans.
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The University Of Texas At Austin is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general visual & performing arts, ranking #5. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 76 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $29,707 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
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University Of Florida ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 73 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $30,629 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,983 to complete this degree.
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University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 18 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $58,659 in their early career. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans.
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George Mason University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 136 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $31,941 early in their careers. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $25,620 in student loans.
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University Of Central Florida ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Orlando. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 506 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $45,765 early in their careers. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
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Harvard University came in at #10 for general visual & performing arts this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. There were roughly 85 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $115,516 in their early career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
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University Of California San Diego landed the #11 spot for general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 62 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
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Austin Community College District earned the #12 position for general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Austin Community College District awarded about 110 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from Austin Community College District earn around $29,669 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000.
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St Marys College Of Maryland ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. This small public university is located in the rural area of St. Mary's City. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at St Marys College Of Maryland in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from St Marys College Of Maryland earn around $41,665 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,655.
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University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #14 for general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 36 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn around $49,755 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,386.
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University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #15 for general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. About 77% of students finish within six years. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 15 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,183 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete this degree.
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Northeastern University landed the #16 spot for general visual & performing arts this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Northeastern University graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $27,246 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,611 to complete this degree.
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Manhattan College landed the #17 spot for general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Manhattan College graduates 64% of students within six years. Manhattan College awarded about 18 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Manhattan College earn a median of $61,065 early in their careers. Manhattan College graduates carry a median of $25,968 in student loans.
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Bridgewater College placed #18 among the best general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. Bridgewater College awarded about 13 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $38,344 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,423 to complete this degree.
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Azusa Pacific University came in at #19 for general visual & performing arts this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Azusa. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 20 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from Azusa Pacific University earn around $58,302 in the first couple years of their career. Azusa Pacific University graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans.
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Arizona State University placed #20 among the best general visual & performing arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 19 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $22,817 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete this degree.
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Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #21 for general visual & performing arts this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 15 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $25,702. Typical student debt for the program is $24,638.
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American Musical And Dramatic Academy came in at #22 for general visual & performing arts this year. American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 43 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at American Musical And Dramatic Academy in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $16,646 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
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Michigan State University came in at #23 for general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 59 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $54,166 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete this degree.
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Eastern Washington University earned the #24 position for general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a very large public institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 10 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Eastern Washington University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $47,144. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete this degree.
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California State University San Marcos came in at #25 for general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 85 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at California State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $27,741. California State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 General Visual & Performing Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general visual & performing arts education:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 170 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
