[General Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
George Mason University earned the #1 spot for value among general visual & performing arts schools in Virginia. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $25,620. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $31,941 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,620 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general visual & performing arts will find it at Bridgewater College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,090. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $26,423. 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. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #3 makes Longwood University one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,740, compared with $27,980 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $27,250. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $34,812 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Mary Washington one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Christopher Newport University earned it the #5 place for general visual & performing arts. 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. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $26,000. 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 ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $45,877 early in their careers. Set against $27,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
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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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
