[General Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 129 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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 University Of Florida Online, our #1 best value for general visual & performing arts in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,983 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $30,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $17,983. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $30,629. Set against $17,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Petersburg College earned it the #3 place for general visual & performing arts. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,385 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $48,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Hillsborough Community College one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $16,142. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $44,101 early in their careers. Set against $16,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Mississippi Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,095, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,422 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $34,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattanooga State Community College earned the #6 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,772, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $12,079. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College generally make around $37,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pellissippi State Community College landed the #7 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,786, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $8,951. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College generally make around $43,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #8 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $34,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida International University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $19,349. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $52,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Central Florida landed the #11 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $45,765 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #12 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $50,726 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Elizabeth City State University came in at #13 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,536, with out-of-state students paying around $10,536. Students borrow a median of $26,992 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Elizabeth City State University generally make around $28,300. Set against $26,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University Shreveport landed the #14 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public school located in the city of Shreveport. Students from in state pay about $7,327 in tuition and fees. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $28,907 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Louisiana State University Shreveport earn a median of $45,300 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,907 median debt. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #15 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $25,660. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Beebe ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Students borrow a median of $9,350 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $30,293. Set against $9,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,501, compared with $24,849 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $23,250. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $23,023 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Volunteer State Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gallatin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,756, with out-of-state students paying around $17,740. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $12,462. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Volunteer State Community College generally make around $40,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi University For Women placed #19 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,492. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $24,509. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Mississippi University For Women earn a median of $42,756 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,509 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
National Park Community College came in at #20 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,280 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,162 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $42,458. That is a strong return on a $14,162 median debt.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public school located in the city of Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $10,418, with out-of-state students paying around $24,146. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $24,373. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $16,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Southern Mississippi earned the #22 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $23,522. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $26,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University earned the #24 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,004 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $27,636 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,004 median debt. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Mississippi State University placed #25 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $24,752. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 129 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
