[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment 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 Pima Community College, our #1 best value for general visual & performing arts in Arizona. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,541 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $25,344 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,541 median debt.
Arizona State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $22,817 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Advancing Technology earned it the #3 place for general visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Tempe, University Of Advancing Technology is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,800. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $29,750. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Advancing Technology generally make around $27,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Advancing Technology admits about 98% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Grand Canyon University one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,991 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $24,691. That is a strong return on a $26,991 median debt. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
More General Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
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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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
