[General Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 55 schools to find the best return on investment for general visual & performing arts students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in general visual & performing arts in the United States. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Monica College earned it the #2 place for general visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in general visual & performing arts will find it at Middlesex County College, which ranked #3. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general visual & performing arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $29,669. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Suffolk County Community College one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $23,694. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Modesto Junior College placed #6 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College landed the #7 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College placed #8 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Washtenaw Community College landed the #9 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. 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. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #10 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #11 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $9,376 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Pima Community College earned the #12 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $9,541. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $25,344 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #13 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $14,692. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College came in at #14 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. 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 landed the #15 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clovis Community College Fresno landed the #16 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638.
Mercer County Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. Students from in state pay about $5,310 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $45,389. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Snow College landed the #18 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattanooga State Community College earned the #19 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ulster County Community College landed the #20 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,666, while out-of-state students pay about $12,146. Students borrow a median of $13,354 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Ulster County Community College generally make around $47,424. Set against $13,354 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College placed #21 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pellissippi State Community College placed #22 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,786, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,951 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $43,816. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt.
Antelope Valley College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Antelope Valley College earn a median of $50,744 early in their careers. Set against $10,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College placed #24 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $1,151 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
Long Beach City College landed the #25 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $6,000. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for general visual & performing arts this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Visual & Performing Arts rankings across degree levels:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 55 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.
