by our College Data Analytics Team
[Other Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/other-visual-performing-arts/visual-and-performing-arts-other/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong other visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for other visual & performing arts students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the other visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Santa Monica College the best value for a degree in other visual & performing arts in the United States. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
A rank of #2 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for other visual & performing arts. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the other visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, other visual & performing arts degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in other visual & performing arts will find it at University Of Washington Bothell Campus, which ranked #3. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other visual & performing arts graduates is $15,807. Soon after graduation, other visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $65,492. Set against $15,807 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in other visual & performing arts will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Other Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Early-career other visual & performing arts graduates make about $66,254. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
A rank of #5 makes Southern Arkansas University Main Campus one of the best values for other visual & performing arts. Set in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,960 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,690. Students borrow a median of $20,385 to complete the other visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, other visual & performing arts degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus generally make around $41,723. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value other visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical student debt for other visual & performing arts graduates is $26,971. Other Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,971 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Clemson University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value other visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Students borrow a median of $26,972 to complete the other visual & performing arts program here. Early-career other visual & performing arts graduates make about $24,229. That is a strong return on a $26,972 median debt. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
Grambling State University earned the #8 position for value in other visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Grambling, Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,683, with out-of-state students paying around $16,706. Other Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $43,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other visual & performing arts degree recipients from Grambling State University generally make around $34,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Mount Holyoke College earned the #9 position for value in other visual & performing arts this year. Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hadley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,018. Typical student debt for other visual & performing arts graduates is $22,041. Other Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Mount Holyoke College earn a median of $35,038 early in their careers. Set against $22,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Baldwin Wallace College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value other visual & performing arts schools. Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Berea. In-state tuition and fees average $39,832. Other Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,307 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other visual & performing arts degree recipients from Baldwin Wallace College generally make around $46,668. Set against $27,307 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Duke University landed the #11 spot for other visual & performing arts value this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the other visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, other visual & performing arts degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $83,388. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
New York University earned the #12 position for value in other visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Typical student debt for other visual & performing arts graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, other visual & performing arts degree recipients from New York University generally make around $28,990. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Full Sail University earned the #13 position for value in other visual & performing arts this year. Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Winter Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,906. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the other visual & performing arts program here. Early-career other visual & performing arts graduates make about $32,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Other Visual & Performing Arts rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.