If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in general visual & performing arts in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general visual & performing arts will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general visual & performing arts will find it at Golden West College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saddleback College earned it the #4 place for general visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Pasadena City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. 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. 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.
Santa Monica College placed #6 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Citrus College landed the #7 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Riverside City College landed the #8 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $8,767. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $7,995 median debt.
Sierra College earned the #10 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,446. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College landed the #11 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College came in at #12 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bakersfield College landed the #13 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,430, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $9,419. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truckee Meadows Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,352, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $12,290. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Truckee Meadows Community College generally make around $52,785. Set against $12,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
Chemeketa Community College earned the #16 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Chemeketa Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,345, compared with $14,040 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $15,755. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $45,440. Set against $15,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University San Marcos landed the #17 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of California San Diego landed the #18 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $60,797. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Los Angeles Pierce College placed #19 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Los Angeles Pierce College is a very large public school located in the city of Woodland Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,477 in student loans. Median earnings reach $44,521 ten years out. Set against $12,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California Merced landed the #20 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,318 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $42,071. That is a strong return on a $18,318 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Azusa Pacific University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,458 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $58,302. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Oregon State University came in at #22 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,043 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $51,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,043 median debt. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Southern California earned the #23 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Hawaii Pacific University came in at #24 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Hawaii Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Honolulu. Students from in state pay about $34,392 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,385 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Hawaii Pacific University earn a median of $49,182 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,385 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Saint Marys College Of California ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,803. Students borrow a median of $25,041 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $59,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general visual & performing arts:
Narrow General Visual & Performing Arts Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 131 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong general visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
