[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 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.
For return on investment in general visual & performing arts, no school beat Capital Community College this year. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harvard University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $16,616. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $115,516 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $25,753 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Northeastern University one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,611 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,246. That is a strong return on a $25,611 median debt. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general visual & performing arts will find it at Bennington College, which ranked #5. Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bennington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,262. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Bennington College generally make around $20,809. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Lesley University placed #6 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,256 in tuition and fees. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Lesley University earn a median of $20,600 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lesley University admits about 97% of applicants.
Champlain College came in at #7 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Burlington, Champlain College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,850. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Champlain College generally make around $30,138. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
