[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 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.
Pellissippi State Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools in Tennessee. Set in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public institution. 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. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Pellissippi State Community College earn a median of $43,816 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattanooga State Community College 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 Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,772, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $12,079. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Chattanooga State Community College earn a median of $37,252 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Volunteer State Community College earned it the #3 place for general visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,756 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,740. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,462 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Volunteer State Community College earn a median of $40,137 early in their careers. Set against $12,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Tennessee Martin is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general visual & performing arts, landing the #4 spot 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. 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.
A rank of #5 makes Lipscomb University one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $23,529. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
