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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

18 Ranked Colleges
916 Degrees Awarded
$24,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master's in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 155,377 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, visual and performing arts is the 10th most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, visual and performing arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $25,427 and had an average of $28,377 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 5,876 visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $24,817 and $32,020 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 916 visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,267 and $46,814 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 18 colleges that offer a degree in visual and performing arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality visual and performing arts programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the visual and performing arts program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois master’s degree visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 18 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 149 degrees to qualified masters’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Northwestern

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. UChicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 3 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UChicago Visual & Performing Arts Report

#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s visual and performing arts degrees to 82 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIUC has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at UIUC

#4

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Eastern Illinois University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Charleston, Illinois, and it awarded 50 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, EIU has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at EIU are $20,761, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Eastern Illinois University

#14 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #5 spot on the list. SIUE is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. It awarded 19 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE also took the #14 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300.

Full SIUE Visual & Performing Arts Report

#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school awarded 26 degrees to qualified masters’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Visual & Performing Arts Report

#7

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s visual and performing arts degrees to 40 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, NIU has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University

#5 in overall quality

Illinois Institute of Technology ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s visual and performing arts degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Illinois Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois Tech are $30,695, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Illinois Tech

#9

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Illinois State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 50 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Illinois State University

#15 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

SIUC also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #15. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#11

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. WIU is a public institution located in Macomb, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 19 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WIU are $11,996, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Western Illinois University

#16 in overall quality

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 6 degrees to qualified masters’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northeastern Illinois University, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Visual & Performing Arts Report

#13

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

Bradley University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Peoria, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s visual and performing arts degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Bradley has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bradley are $17,040, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Bradley

#14

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois

North Park University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 4 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

North Park not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Park University are $14,076, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at North Park

#15

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

Columbia College Chicago ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Columbia College Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 71 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia College Chicago are $2,350, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Columbia College Chicago Visual & Performing Arts Report

#16

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

Roosevelt University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 40 diplomas to qualified masters’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Roosevelt has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Roosevelt are $21,605, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Roosevelt University Visual & Performing Arts Report

#17

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

DePaul University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 117 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

DePaul not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul are $19,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at DePaul University

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, School of the Art Institute of Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 201 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at School of the Art Institute of Chicago are $43,912, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full School of the Art Institute of Chicago Visual & Performing Arts Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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