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 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general visual & performing arts students pursuing a degree.
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If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is George Mason University, our #1 school for general visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. George Mason University awarded about 136 general visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $31,941 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,620 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at George Mason University
A rank of #2 makes Bridgewater College one of the top schools for general visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 13 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Bridgewater College in the most recent year. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Bridgewater College earn a median of $38,344 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,423.
Read more about the general visual & performing arts program at Bridgewater College
A rank of #3 makes Longwood University one of the top schools for general visual & performing arts. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Farmville. Longwood University graduates 61% of students within six years. Longwood University awarded about 21 general visual & performing arts degrees 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
University Of Mary Washington is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general visual & performing arts, landing the #4 spot this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. University Of Mary Washington graduates 66% of students within six years. University Of Mary Washington awarded about 13 general visual & performing arts degrees 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. University Of Mary Washington graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general visual & performing arts from University Of Mary Washington
A rank of #5 makes Liberty University one of the top schools for general visual & performing arts. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. About 67% of students finish within six years. Liberty University awarded about 74 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. Typical student debt for the program is $27,414.
Get the full general visual & performing arts details for Liberty University
Christopher Newport University placed #6 among the best general visual & performing arts schools. Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Newport News. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 40 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Christopher Newport University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $23,656. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Christopher Newport University
Tidewater Community College placed #7 among the best general visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 12 general visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Tidewater Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $35,627. Students borrow a median of $14,001 to complete this degree.
See the full general visual & performing arts program report for Tidewater Community College
Virginia State University earned the #8 position for general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 39% of students finish within six years. About 13 general visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Virginia State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general visual & performing arts degree from Virginia State University earn around $40,620 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,010 to complete this degree.
Get the full general visual & performing arts details for Virginia State University
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 8 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.
