[General Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 169 schools to find the best return on investment for general visual & performing arts students.
Finding the Best Value General Visual & Performing Arts School for You
The general visual & performing arts program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value General Visual & Performing Arts Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value 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.
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in general visual & performing arts in the United States. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
University Of Florida Online is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,983 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $30,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,983 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,983 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $30,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,983 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general visual & performing arts will find it at Santa Monica College, which ranked #4. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
A rank of #5 makes Middlesex County College one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $9,514. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Austin Community College District earned the #6 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $29,669. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #7 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $14,430. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $22,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $23,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College earned the #9 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College placed #10 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Petersburg College landed the #11 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $48,218. That is a strong return on a $24,385 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College earned the #12 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $16,142. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $44,101. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt.
Citrus College placed #13 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #14 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $17,616. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queensborough Community College placed #15 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $10,052. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #16 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $9,376. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Pima Community College landed the #17 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,541 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $25,344. Set against $9,541 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #18 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College earned the #19 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $7,995. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $37,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Clovis Community College Fresno landed the #21 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students.
Miami Dade College landed the #22 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $40,267. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Mercer County Community College earned the #23 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. In-state tuition and fees average $5,310, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $12,250. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $45,389. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Snow College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
Chattanooga State Community College landed the #25 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. Students borrow a median of $12,079 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Chattanooga State Community College earn a median of $37,252 early in their careers. Set against $12,079 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Visual & Performing Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general visual & performing arts this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 169 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 169 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).
[General Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
