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2023 Best Value Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts (Income $0-$30k)

74 Ranked Colleges
3,130 Degrees Awarded
$7,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 3,130 people earned their degree in visual and performing arts, making the major the 221st most popular in the United States.

This year’s “Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 74 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in visual and performing arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great visual and performing arts programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the visual and performing arts program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Visual & Performing Arts Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Visual Arts Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts (Income $0-$30k)

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

Out of the 74 schools in the Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #1 spot on the list. Duke University is located in Durham, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s visual arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Duke, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools” ranking. It costs about $371 for visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Duke University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Duke Visual & Performing Arts Report

2
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Yale University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Yale is a fairly large school located in New Haven, Connecticut that handed out 5 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Yale has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Yale is $961 for visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Yale

3
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Pennsylvania is a large school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 13 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UPenn also took the #4 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UPenn is $580 for visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at University of Pennsylvania

4
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rice University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 26 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Rice has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Rice University is $4,443 for Visual Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Rice

5

Out of the 74 schools in the Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Diego landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school handed out 99 diplomas to qualified ’s visual arts students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCSD has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - San Diego is $9,823 for visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UCSD Visual & Performing Arts Report

6
Brooklyn College crest
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, New York

With a ranking of #6, Brooklyn College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Brooklyn College is a fairly large public school situated in Brooklyn, New York. It awarded 2 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Brooklyn College is $1,547 for Visual Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Brooklyn College

7

The University of Texas at Austin ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. The University of Texas at Austin is located in Austin, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s visual arts degrees to qualified students.

UT Austin also took the #2 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools” ranking. It costs about $13,753 for Visual Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Austin.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at UT Austin

8
Pima County Community College District crest
Pima Community College
Tucson, Arizona

Pima Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Pima County Community College District is a fairly large school located in Tucson, Arizona that handed out 28 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Pima County Community College District is $2,831 for visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Pima County Community College District

9

The University of Texas at Dallas came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Richardson, Texas, this large public school handed out 34 diplomas to qualified ’s visual arts students in 2020-2021.

UT Dallas also took the #8 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools” ranking. It costs about $11,070 for visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Dallas.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at The University of Texas at Dallas

10
Lehman crest
Lehman College
Bronx, New York

Lehman College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Lehman is located in Bronx, New York and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s visual arts degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Lehman is $881 for visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Lehman College Visual & Performing Arts Report

11

With a ranking of #11, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s visual arts degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for IUPUI is $7,026 for visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Visual & Performing Arts Report

12

Suffolk County Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Suffolk County Community College is a large school located in Selden, New York that handed out 37 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Suffolk County Community College is $2,585 for visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Suffolk County Community College

13

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual arts degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $1,887 for Visual Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State LA Visual & Performing Arts Report

14

Arizona State University - Tempe ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. ASU - Tempe is a large school located in Tempe, Arizona that handed out 20 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for ASU - Tempe is $8,969 for visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Arizona State University - Tempe

15

Iowa State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Ames, Iowa, this large public school handed out 19 diplomas to qualified ’s visual arts students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Iowa State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $9,766 for visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full Iowa State Visual & Performing Arts Report

16

Borough of Manhattan Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Borough of Manhattan Community College is a fairly large school located in New York, New York that handed out 46 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend BMCC is $4,920 for visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at BMCC

17
Texas Tech crest
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Texas Tech is a public institution located in Lubbock, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas Tech, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas Tech University is $9,031 for Visual Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Texas Tech University Visual & Performing Arts Report

18

California State University - Channel Islands came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSUCI is located in Camarillo, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s visual arts degrees to qualified students.

CSUCI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSUCI is $12,011 for Visual Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUCI Visual & Performing Arts Report

19

Northern Virginia Community College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Annandale, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual arts degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northern Virginia Community College is $7,515 for Visual Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Northern Virginia Community College Visual & Performing Arts Report

20
SUNY New Paltz crest
SUNY New Paltz
New Paltz, New York

SUNY New Paltz landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SUNY New Paltz is a public institution located in New Paltz, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 45 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SUNY New Paltz, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SUNY New Paltz is $10,840 for Visual Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at SUNY New Paltz

21

With a ranking of #21, New Mexico State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. NMSU Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Las Cruces, New Mexico that handed out 22 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend NMSU Main Campus is $8,466 for visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at NMSU Main Campus

22
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

With a ranking of #22, Southeast Missouri State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southeast Missouri State University is a medium-sized school located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri that handed out 52 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $10,359 for visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Southeast Missouri State University Visual & Performing Arts Report

23

Ramapo College of New Jersey did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Mahwah, New Jersey, this medium-sized public school handed out 12 degrees to qualified ’s visual arts students in 2020-2021.

Ramapo College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ramapo College of New Jersey is $12,200 for visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Ramapo College of New Jersey

24

With a ranking of #24, Wichita State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Wichita, Kansas, this fairly large public school awarded 31 degrees to qualified ’s visual arts students in 2020-2021.

WSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wichita State University is $11,687 for Visual Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Wichita State University Visual & Performing Arts Report

25
UM crest
The University of Montana
Missoula, Montana

The University of Montana came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Missoula, Montana, this fairly large public school awarded 13 degrees to qualified ’s visual arts students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UM, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The University of Montana is $12,739 for visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at UM

Notes and References

References

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