[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/visual-and-performing-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 365 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual & performing arts students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in visual & performing arts, no school beat Rice University this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $11,904. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at New Mexico State University Main Campus, which ranked #2. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $18,470. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $20,274 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $44,443. Set against $20,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #4. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $60,797. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $18,750. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $27,741 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Marshall University earned the #6 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $52,481. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee Martin placed #7 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $25,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of California Merced earned the #8 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,318 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $42,071 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University landed the #9 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $22,817. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Mississippi University For Women earned the #10 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,492. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,509. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $42,756. Set against $24,509 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi University For Women admits about 90% of applicants.
Wichita State University earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,551. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $20,013. That is a strong return on a $24,551 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University placed #12 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $26,668. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $28,226 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette earned the #14 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,418 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,373. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of $16,871 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,373 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University placed #15 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $115,516. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #16 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $52,338. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Rogers State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Rogers State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Claremore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $22,936. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $45,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi State University landed the #18 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $24,752. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #19 for value in visual & performing arts this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $21,196. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $28,494. Set against $21,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Albany State University earned the #20 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Albany State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $5,656, while out-of-state students pay about $17,008. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $30,660. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $29,798. Set against $30,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George Mason University placed #21 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $25,620. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $31,941. Set against $25,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #22 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,400. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $22,349. Set against $27,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Iowa State University placed #23 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $23,495. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $53,900. Set against $23,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #24 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,925 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $19,527 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #25 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $46,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in visual & performing arts:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Visual & Performing Arts rankings across degree levels:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 365 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
