[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong general visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 97 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Suffolk County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general visual & performing arts schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $23,694. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general visual & performing arts will find it at Cuny Queensborough Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $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 #4. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. 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.
Montgomery College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.
Middlesex County College landed the #6 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Cuny Bronx Community College landed the #7 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. Students borrow a median of $8,224 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $18,700. That is a strong return on a $8,224 median debt.
The Community College Of Baltimore County placed #8 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,038 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $52,440. Set against $18,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #9 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Dutchess Community College landed the #10 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,670 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,670. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $32,978. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Westchester Community College placed #11 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,486. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $57,520. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rockland Community College earned the #12 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Suffern. Students from in state pay about $6,862 in tuition and fees. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,167 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Rockland Community College earn a median of $41,799 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Genesee Community College earned the #13 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Batavia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,900, with out-of-state students paying around $6,500. Students borrow a median of $15,991 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $40,106. That is a strong return on a $15,991 median debt.
Ocean County College landed the #14 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Ocean County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Toms River. Students from in state pay about $4,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,792 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $41,306. Set against $13,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The College Of Westchester earned the #15 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of White Plains, The College Of Westchester is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,191 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $29,570. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $20,163. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Daemen College placed #16 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Amherst, Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,218 in tuition and fees. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $28,358 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $63,542. That is a strong return on a $28,358 median debt. Daemen College admits about 68% of applicants.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #17 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $27,400. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $22,349. That is a strong return on a $27,400 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $20,537. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Suny College At Oneonta came in at #19 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oneonta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,781. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta generally make around $19,135. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #20 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Students borrow a median of $21,324 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $19,893. That is a strong return on a $21,324 median debt. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #21 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,266, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $20,705. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Suny At Purchase College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,016 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,266. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $22,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey earned the #23 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,777, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $25,926. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Ramapo College Of New Jersey generally make around $48,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #24 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,867 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $39,028. That is a strong return on a $26,867 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earned the #25 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,468 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $24,701. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earn a median of $53,216 early in their careers. Set against $24,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 97 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
