[General Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general visual & performing arts schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is University Of Florida Online, our #1 best value for general visual & performing arts in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,983 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $30,629. Set against $17,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,983 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $30,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in general visual & performing arts will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #3. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $24,250. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $28,878. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Students looking for strong value in general visual & performing arts will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
California State University San Marcos came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $27,741. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
Marshall University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $52,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Louisiana State University Shreveport earned the #7 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,327 in tuition and fees. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $28,907 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Louisiana State University Shreveport generally make around $45,300. Set against $28,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #8 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $20,115. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $61,829. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #9 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $20,274. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $44,443. Set against $20,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $15,000. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $60,797. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of California Merced came in at #11 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,653, while out-of-state students pay about $46,541. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $18,318. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $42,071 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rice University landed the #12 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #13 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $22,625. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $25,660. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $18,470. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville earned the #15 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,501, with out-of-state students paying around $24,849. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $23,250. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $23,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #16 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $20,015. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $50,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown placed #17 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,925 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $19,527 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Savannah State University earned the #18 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,750, with out-of-state students paying around $19,043. Students borrow a median of $46,831 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $34,489. Set against $46,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside came in at #19 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $24,485. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
Wichita State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $24,551. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $20,013. Set against $24,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Tuscarawas came in at #21 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of New Philadelphia, Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Students borrow a median of $23,569 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Kent State University At Tuscarawas earn a median of $36,464 early in their careers. Set against $23,569 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #22 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $28,226. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Arizona State University landed the #23 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $22,817. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Delta State University came in at #24 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,605 in tuition and fees. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Delta State University earn a median of $24,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Kennesaw State University earned the #25 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,004 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $27,636. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general visual & performing arts:
Explore the best-value general visual & performing arts schools at other degree levels:
View All General Visual & Performing Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 100 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 100 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.
