[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 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.
Kirkwood Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general visual & performing arts schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $15,779. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $41,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hennepin Technical College earned it the #2 place for general visual & performing arts. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $17,887. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $52,059. Set against $17,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general visual & performing arts will find it at Wichita State University, which ranked #4. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,551 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $20,013. Set against $24,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Butler Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,541, with out-of-state students paying around $6,271. Students borrow a median of $16,670 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $39,404. That is a strong return on a $16,670 median debt.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #6 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $26,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #7 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #8 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $24,408. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Minnesota State University Moorhead earned the #9 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $24,447. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $50,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #10 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,719 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $29,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Webster University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,750. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,939 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Webster University earn a median of $57,152 early in their careers. Set against $25,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #12 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,183 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
