[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 42 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general visual & performing arts schools.
What’s on this page:
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 University Of Florida Online this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,983 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $30,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,983 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general visual & performing arts will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,983 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $30,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,983 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general visual & performing arts will find it at Hillsborough Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Students borrow a median of $16,142 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $44,101. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt.
St Petersburg College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $24,385. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $48,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $40,267. Set against $11,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattanooga State Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chattanooga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,772, with out-of-state students paying around $17,756. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,079 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $37,252. Set against $12,079 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pellissippi State Community College came in at #7 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $8,951 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $43,816. Set against $8,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Florida ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $24,250. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $45,765. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $11,653. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
Florida International University came in at #10 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Daytona State College placed #11 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,106 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,994. Students borrow a median of $14,227 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Daytona State College generally make around $43,320. Set against $14,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marshall University placed #12 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $52,481. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Louisiana State University Shreveport earned the #13 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public school located in the city of Shreveport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,327. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $28,907. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Louisiana State University Shreveport generally make around $45,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Volunteer State Community College earned the #14 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gallatin. In-state tuition and fees average $4,756, compared with $17,740 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,462 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Volunteer State Community College generally make around $40,137. That is a strong return on a $12,462 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville earned the #15 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,501, compared with $24,849 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $23,023. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The University Of Tennessee Martin landed the #16 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $22,625. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $25,660. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #17 position 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. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $20,015. 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. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Tidewater Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,001 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $35,627. Set against $14,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Savannah State University came in at #19 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Savannah State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Savannah. In-state tuition and fees average $5,750, while out-of-state students pay about $19,043. Students borrow a median of $46,831 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $34,489. That is a strong return on a $46,831 median debt.
Arkansas State University Beebe placed #20 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Beebe. Students from in state pay about $3,336 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $9,350. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $30,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delta State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Delta State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,605. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Delta State University generally make around $24,839. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette placed #22 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public school located in the city of Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $10,418, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $24,373. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $16,871. That is a strong return on a $24,373 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $27,636. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
National Park Community College placed #24 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,280. 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.
George Mason University came in at #25 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $25,620 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $31,941. Set against $25,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for general visual & performing arts this year:
Narrow General Visual & Performing Arts Schools by State
More General Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
View All General Visual & Performing Arts Rankings >
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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
