[General Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 35 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.
Middlesex County College tops our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $37,975. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suffolk County Community College earned it the #2 place for general visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $11,246. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $23,694 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $10,052. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $23,674. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned it the #4 place for general visual & performing arts. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $9,376 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 Mercer County Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $45,389 early in their careers. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ulster County Community College placed #6 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Stone Ridge. In-state tuition and fees average $6,666, with out-of-state students paying around $12,146. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $13,354. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Ulster County Community College earn a median of $47,424 early in their careers. Set against $13,354 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Bronx Community College earned the #7 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $8,224. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $18,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #8 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Students borrow a median of $20,274 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. 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. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Montgomery College landed the #9 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $24,833. Set against $11,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Westchester Community College earned the #10 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dutchess Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,670, while out-of-state students pay about $10,670. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Dutchess Community College earn a median of $32,978 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ocean County College landed the #12 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,970. Students borrow a median of $13,792 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Ocean County College generally make around $41,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The Community College Of Baltimore County earned the #13 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $18,038. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $52,440. That is a strong return on a $18,038 median debt.
Suny College At Potsdam placed #14 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,768, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $32,485. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
St Marys College Of Maryland placed #15 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the rural area of St. Mary's City, St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,298 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,374. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $22,655 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $41,665. That is a strong return on a $22,655 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Gallaudet University placed #16 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Washington, Gallaudet University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $19,654 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,123 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Gallaudet University generally make around $44,489. That is a strong return on a $24,123 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Daemen College earned the #17 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Amherst, Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,218. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $28,358 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Daemen College generally make around $63,542. That is a strong return on a $28,358 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey landed the #18 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,777, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,926 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $48,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #19 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $21,324. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $19,893. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oneonta earned the #20 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,781. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta generally make around $19,135. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,236 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $22,349. Set against $27,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
La Salle University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Students borrow a median of $25,462 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $54,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.
Suny At Purchase College landed the #23 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $22,024. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Purchase College admits about 74% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #24 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,638 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $25,702. Set against $24,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,867 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $39,028. Set against $26,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
