[General Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 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.
For return on investment in general visual & performing arts, no school beat Tidewater Community College this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Students borrow a median of $14,001 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $35,627. That is a strong return on a $14,001 median debt.
Bridgewater College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,090. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,423 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Bridgewater College earn a median of $38,344 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,423 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia State University earned it the #3 place for general visual & performing arts. Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,043, compared with $22,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $29,010. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Virginia State University generally make around $40,620. Set against $29,010 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
A rank of #4 makes George Mason University one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,620 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $31,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #5 makes Longwood University one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,740, while out-of-state students pay about $27,980. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,250 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $34,812 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt. Longwood University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Mary Washington landed the #6 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,905, while out-of-state students pay about $28,083. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $29,130. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Christopher Newport University earned the #7 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,828, while out-of-state students pay about $31,178. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $23,656 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University landed the #8 spot for general visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,414 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $45,877. Set against $27,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
