[General Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 64 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general visual & performing arts students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Washtenaw Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general visual & performing arts schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, 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. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbus State Community College earned it the #2 place for general visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin Parkside one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,485 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $24,485 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clark State Community College earned it the #4 place for general visual & performing arts. Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $4,393, while out-of-state students pay about $8,049. Students borrow a median of $20,740 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Clark State Community College earn a median of $39,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of New Philadelphia, Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $36,464. That is a strong return on a $23,569 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #6 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $24,500. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $28,226 early in their careers. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University came in at #7 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $27,857. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $50,688. Set against $27,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #8 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $25,787. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $34,346 early in their careers. Set against $25,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin Stout placed #9 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $29,350. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $54,235 early in their careers. Set against $29,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $24,546. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University placed #11 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $54,166 early in their careers. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne earned the #12 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,460. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,684. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $18,819. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Elmhurst College placed #14 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,955. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $22,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $51,232. That is a strong return on a $22,400 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Greenville College earned the #15 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $32,200. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $25,933. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Greenville College generally make around $36,911. That is a strong return on a $25,933 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #16 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago landed the #17 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,623. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $38,205. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
