[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for general visual & performing arts students.
What’s on this page:
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 earned the #1 spot for value among general visual & performing arts schools in New Jersey. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $9,514. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercer County Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. Students from in state pay about $5,310 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $45,389. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Ocean County College one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,906, while out-of-state students pay about $6,970. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $13,792 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Ocean County College earn a median of $41,306 early in their careers. Set against $13,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Ramapo College Of New Jersey one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $16,777 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,708. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $25,926. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $48,545. That is a strong return on a $25,926 median debt. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,266, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $20,705. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Bloomfield College placed #6 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Bloomfield College is a small public school located in the suburb of Bloomfield. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $24,207. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Bloomfield College earn a median of $44,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
More General Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
View All General Visual & Performing Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
