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2026 Best General Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools

5 Colleges in the United States
123 General Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$53,149 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Visual & Performing Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general visual & performing arts programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 561 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general visual & performing arts students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for General Visual & Performing Arts in the United States

These are the top schools for a master’s degree in general visual & performing arts, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in General Visual & Performing Arts

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general visual & performing arts. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of Florida awarded about 10 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $30,629. Typical student debt for the program is $17,983. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at University Of Florida

2
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

A rank of #2 makes Harvard University one of the top schools for general visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $115,516 in their early career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from Harvard University

3

Students looking for a strong general visual & performing arts program will find one at Minneapolis College Of Art And Design, which ranked #3. Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. About 12 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Minneapolis College Of Art And Design in the most recent year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Minneapolis College Of Art And Design earn a median of $69,907 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,812 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from Minneapolis College Of Art And Design

4

The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 18 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Dallas in the most recent year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $28,494 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,196. See the full general visual & performing arts program report for The University Of Texas At Dallas

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of California San Diego one of the top schools for general visual & performing arts. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California San Diego awarded about 10 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. See the full general visual & performing arts program report for University Of California San Diego

6

School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago earned the #6 position for general visual & performing arts this year. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 67% of students finish within six years. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago awarded about 13 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general visual & performing arts program make about $38,205 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago

7
Academy Of Art University crest
Academy Of Art University
San Francisco, CA

Academy Of Art University earned the #7 position for general visual & performing arts this year. This moderately-sized private for-profit university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. Academy Of Art University awarded about 31 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Academy Of Art University earn a median of $28,494 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from Academy Of Art University

Other General Visual & Performing Arts Degree Levels

Explore the best general visual & performing arts schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General Visual & Performing Arts
Associate's Degrees in General Visual & Performing Arts
Bachelor's Degrees in General Visual & Performing Arts
View All General Visual & Performing Arts Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 561 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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