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2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools

123 Ranked Colleges
6,355 Degrees Awarded
$13,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Visual Arts Schools

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Visual Arts Schools” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 6,355 people earned their degree in general visual and performing arts, making the major the 116th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, general visual and performing arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $25,134 and had an average of $26,019 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Best Value Visual Arts Schools” ranking looked at 123 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general visual and performing arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general visual and performing arts programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general visual and performing arts program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Visual Arts Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The visual arts school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Visual Arts Schools”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Visual Arts Schools

The colleges and universities below are the best for visual arts students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Visual & Performing Arts

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Austin Community College District. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools list. Austin Community College District is located in Austin, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 71 ’s visual arts degrees to qualified students.

Austin Community College District did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools” list. It costs about $7,224 for Visual Arts students per year to attend Austin Community College District.

Full Austin Community College District General Visual & Performing Arts Report

2
Pima County Community College District crest
Pima Community College
Tucson, Arizona

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pima Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools list. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this fairly large public school awarded 46 diplomas to qualified ’s visual arts students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Pima County Community College District is $3,846 for Visual Arts students.

Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at Pima Community College

3
Texas Tech crest
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas Tech University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools list. Texas Tech University is located in Lubbock, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s visual arts degrees to qualified students.

Texas Tech also made our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $16,194 for Visual Arts students per year to attend Texas Tech.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Texas Tech University General Visual & Performing Arts Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Central Florida. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools list. Orlando, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual arts degrees to 470 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCF, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools” ranking. It costs about $8,618 for visual arts students per year to attend University of Central Florida.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at University of Central Florida

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northern Virginia Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools list. Located in Annandale, Virginia, this large public school awarded 24 degrees to qualified ’s visual arts students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northern Virginia Community College is $9,452 for Visual Arts students.

Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at Northern Virginia Community College

6

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools ranking, coming in at #6. Missouri State is a large school located in Springfield, Missouri that handed out 12 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Missouri State is $16,718 for Visual Arts students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at Missouri State

7

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools ranking, coming in at #7. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 ’s visual arts degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - Whitewater is $14,417 for Visual Arts students.

Full UW - Whitewater General Visual & Performing Arts Report

8

Queensborough Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools ranking, coming in at #8. Bayside, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual arts degrees to 67 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for QCC is $5,857 for Visual Arts students.

Full Queensborough Community College General Visual & Performing Arts Report

9
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

With a ranking of #9, University of Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools list. University of Florida is a large public school situated in Gainesville, Florida. It awarded 60 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UF also made our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for University of Florida is $5,135 for Visual Arts students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at UF

10
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools ranking. Central Michigan University is a fairly large school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that handed out 2 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan is $16,007 for Visual Arts students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Central Michigan General Visual & Performing Arts Report

11

Minnesota State University - Moorhead ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Visual Arts Schools list. Located in Moorhead, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 9 diplomas to qualified ’s visual arts students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,680 for visual arts students per year to attend Minnesota State University - Moorhead.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full MSU Moorhead General Visual & Performing Arts Report

12

Suffolk County Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools ranking. This large school is located in Selden, New York, and it awarded 63 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,270 for visual arts students per year to attend Suffolk County Community College.

Full Suffolk County Community College General Visual & Performing Arts Report

13
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools ranking, coming in at #13. Southeast Missouri State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. It awarded 52 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $13,568 for Visual Arts students.

Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at Southeast Missouri State University

14

Wichita State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Visual Arts Schools list. Wichita State University is a fairly large public school situated in Wichita, Kansas. It awarded 77 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Wichita State University is $14,859 for visual arts students.

Full WSU General Visual & Performing Arts Report

15
SUNY New Paltz crest
SUNY New Paltz
New Paltz, New York

SUNY New Paltz ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Visual Arts Schools list. This medium-sized school is located in New Paltz, New York, and it awarded 45 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend SUNY New Paltz is $17,123 for Visual Arts students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full SUNY New Paltz General Visual & Performing Arts Report

16
SUNY Oneonta crest
SUNY Oneonta
Oneonta, New York

SUNY Oneonta came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools ranking. SUNY Oneonta is a public institution located in Oneonta, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 50 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $18,223 for Visual Arts students per year to attend SUNY Oneonta.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at SUNY Oneonta

17
Grand Canyon University crest
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona

Grand Canyon University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools ranking. Phoenix, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s visual arts degrees to 47 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Grand Canyon University is $20,585 for visual arts students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Grand Canyon University General Visual & Performing Arts Report

18

With a ranking of #18, University of Wisconsin - Stout did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools list. UW - Stout is a medium-sized public school situated in Menomonie, Wisconsin. It awarded 20 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - Stout is $15,589 for Visual Arts students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at University of Wisconsin - Stout

19
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

With a ranking of #19, Mississippi State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools list. This large school is located in Mississippi State, Mississippi, and it awarded 42 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Mississippi State also made our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend Mississippi State is $16,122 for visual arts students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at Mississippi State University

20

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools ranking. Kutztown, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual arts degrees to 53 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $23,227 for visual arts students per year to attend Kutztown University.

Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at Kutztown University

21

Iowa State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools ranking. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual arts degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $16,002 for visual arts students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Iowa State General Visual & Performing Arts Report

22
Southern Miss crest
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi

University of Southern Mississippi came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools ranking. This fairly large school is located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and it awarded 22 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,032 for Visual Arts students per year to attend Southern Miss.

Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at University of Southern Mississippi

23
UM crest
The University of Montana
Missoula, Montana

The University of Montana landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools ranking. Missoula, Montana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual arts degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

UM also took the #25 spot in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools” ranking. It costs about $14,755 for visual arts students per year to attend The University of Montana.

Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at The University of Montana

24
HACC crest
Harrisburg Area Community College
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Harrisburg Area Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools ranking. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual arts degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Harrisburg Area Community College is $11,608 for visual arts students.

Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at HACC

25

With a ranking of #25, California State University - Channel Islands did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools list. California State University - Channel Islands is a medium-sized public school situated in Camarillo, California. It awarded 20 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,928 for visual arts students per year to attend CSUCI.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at CSUCI

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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