[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/visual-and-performing-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Leading the list is State Fair Community College, our #1 best value for visual & performing arts in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $7,416. Students borrow a median of $15,328 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $39,168. That is a strong return on a $15,328 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita State University earned it the #2 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,551. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $20,013. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #3 makes Southeast Missouri State University one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $26,668. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Butler Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,541 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,271. Students borrow a median of $16,670 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $39,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Iowa State University landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $23,495. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $53,900 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
