[Arts & Media Management](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/arts-media-management/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools to find the best return on investment for arts & media management students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in arts & media management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Seattle Community College North Campus the best value for a degree in arts & media management in the Far Western Region. Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,238, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,643 to complete the arts & media management program here. Early-career arts & media management graduates make about $48,739. Set against $16,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes College Of Southern Nevada one of the best values for arts & media management. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the arts & media management program here. Arts & Media Management graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. Set against $9,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in arts & media management, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for arts & media management graduates is $16,097. Arts & Media Management graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at National University earned it the #4 place for arts & media management. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,284. Typical student debt for arts & media management graduates is $30,426. Arts & Media Management graduates of National University earn a median of $69,080 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Southern California came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value arts & media management schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the arts & media management program here. Arts & Media Management graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $26,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Los Angeles Film School came in at #6 for value in arts & media management this year. Located in the city of Hollywood, Los Angeles Film School is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. Typical student debt for arts & media management graduates is $44,250. Early-career arts & media management graduates make about $18,706. That is a strong return on a $44,250 median debt.
Pepperdine University earned the #7 position for value in arts & media management this year. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,918. Arts & Media Management graduates carry a median of $23,645 in student loans. Early-career arts & media management graduates make about $57,582. Set against $23,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pepperdine University admits about 63% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
