[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Leading the list is La Salle University, our #1 best value for general visual & performing arts in Pennsylvania. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,462 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $54,618. That is a strong return on a $25,462 median debt. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned it the #2 place for general visual & performing arts. 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. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University World Campus generally make around $25,702. Set against $24,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #4 place for general visual & performing arts. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $26,867. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $39,028 early in their careers. Set against $26,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wilson College earned it the #5 place for general visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Chambersburg, Wilson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,100. Students borrow a median of $34,814 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $58,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wilson College admits about 92% of applicants.
Saint Vincent College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,396 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,986 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Saint Vincent College generally make around $54,916. That is a strong return on a $26,986 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $24,638. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $25,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Moore College Of Art And Design earned the #8 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Moore College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,674. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,107. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Moore College Of Art And Design admits about 56% of applicants.
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
