[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Our analysis ranked Harvard University the best value for a degree in general visual & performing arts in Massachusetts. 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. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $115,516. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. 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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general visual & performing arts will find it at Northeastern University, which ranked #3. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $66,162 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $25,611. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $27,246. That is a strong return on a $25,611 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Lesley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general visual & performing arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,256. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $26,000. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $20,600. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
More General Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
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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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
