General Visual & Performing Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools to find the best for general visual & performing arts students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general visual & performing arts education in Virginia.
George Mason University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general visual & performing arts. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 139 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from George Mason University earn around $31,941 in the first couple years of their career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $25,620 in student loans.
See the full general visual & performing arts program report for George Mason University
Bridgewater College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Bridgewater. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 12 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Bridgewater College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Bridgewater College generally make around $38,344. Bridgewater College graduates carry a median of $26,423 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from Bridgewater College
Longwood University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general visual & performing arts, landing the #3 spot this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Farmville. Longwood University graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Longwood University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from Longwood University earn around $34,812 in the first couple years of their career. Longwood University graduates carry a median of $27,250 in student loans.
Get the full general visual & performing arts details for Longwood University
Students looking for a strong general visual & performing arts program will find one at University Of Mary Washington, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 12 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from University Of Mary Washington earn around $29,130 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at University Of Mary Washington
A rank of #5 makes Christopher Newport University one of the top schools for general visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Christopher Newport University awarded about 45 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $23,656 early in their careers. Christopher Newport University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at Christopher Newport University
Liberty University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general visual & performing arts schools. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. About 67% of students finish within six years. Liberty University awarded about 35 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $45,877 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,414 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at Liberty University
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 22 schools evaluated.
- 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.
