[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for general visual & performing arts students.
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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.
Our analysis ranked Columbus State Community College the best value for a degree in general visual & performing arts in Ohio. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clark State Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,393, while out-of-state students pay about $8,049. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $20,740 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $39,734. That is a strong return on a $20,740 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Kent State University At Tuscarawas one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,211, compared with $17,969 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $23,569. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Kent State University At Tuscarawas earn a median of $36,464 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,569 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Ohio University Main Campus one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus 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 Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $18,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #6 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $58,659. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
