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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 93 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Santa Monica College tops our 2026 list of the best value other visual & performing arts schools in the United States. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Other Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,636 in student loans. Other Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $65,932 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,636 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #3 place for other visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the other visual & performing arts program here. Early-career other visual & performing arts graduates make about $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Portland State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other visual & performing arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the other visual & performing arts program here. Early-career other visual & performing arts graduates make about $47,717. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Provo earned it the #5 place for other visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Other Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other visual & performing arts degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $54,507. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for other visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,960, while out-of-state students pay about $15,690. Other Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $20,385 in student loans. Early-career other visual & performing arts graduates make about $41,723. Set against $20,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #7 among the best values for other visual & performing arts. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Other Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,971 in student loans. Early-career other visual & performing arts graduates make about $86,770. Set against $26,971 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Clemson University earned the #8 position for value in other visual & performing arts this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $26,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
Grambling State University landed the #9 spot for other visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the town of Grambling, Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,683 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,706. Typical student debt for other visual & performing arts graduates is $43,500. Soon after graduation, other visual & performing arts degree recipients from Grambling State University generally make around $34,580. Set against $43,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grambling State University admits about 45% of applicants.
Lawrence University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value other visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Appleton, Lawrence University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,982 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other visual & performing arts graduates is $15,699. Median earnings reach $55,789 ten years out. Set against $15,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lawrence University admits about 64% of applicants.
Baldwin Wallace College landed the #11 spot for other visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,832 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other visual & performing arts graduates is $27,307. Early-career other visual & performing arts graduates make about $46,668. Set against $27,307 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Clark University earned the #12 position for value in other visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,467. Students borrow a median of $26,153 to complete the other visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, other visual & performing arts degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $43,257. Set against $26,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clark University admits about 40% of applicants.
Mount Holyoke College landed the #13 spot for other visual & performing arts value this year. Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hadley. Students from in state pay about $67,018 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Duke University came in at #14 for value in other visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Other Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Other Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Duke University earn a median of $83,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
New York University placed #15 among the best values for other visual & performing arts. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Typical student debt for other visual & performing arts graduates is $25,000. Other Visual & Performing Arts graduates of New York University earn a median of $28,990 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Other Visual & Performing Arts rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 93 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.