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2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k

28 Ranked Colleges
5,129 Degrees Awarded
$10,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Visual & Performing Arts is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 10th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 149,215 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, visual and performing arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $26,700 and had an average of $25,051 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Rocky Mountains region, there were 5,129 visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $26,302 and $25,464 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 28 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in visual and performing arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent visual and performing arts programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the visual and performing arts program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Rocky Mountains Region

1

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #1 spot on the list. BYU is located in Provo, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 360 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, BYU has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend BYU is $9,445 for Rocky Mountains Region Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at BYU

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Rexburg, Idaho, and it awarded 217 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

BYU - I did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho is $2,073 for Rocky Mountains Region Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at BYU - I

3
Arapahoe Community College crest
Arapahoe Community College
Littleton, Colorado

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Arapahoe Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Littleton, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 62 students in 2020-2021.

Arapahoe Community College also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend Arapahoe Community College is $7,233 for Rocky Mountains Region Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Arapahoe Community College Visual & Performing Arts Report

4
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Utah. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k. U of U is located in Salt Lake City, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 433 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

U of U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $10,431 for rocky mountains region visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend U of U.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at U of U

5
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, Utah

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Salt Lake Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Salt Lake Community College is a large public school situated in Salt Lake City, Utah. It awarded 86 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Salt Lake Community College also took the #20 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Salt Lake Community College is $5,129 for Rocky Mountains Region Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Salt Lake Community College

6
UW crest
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming

University of Wyoming came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Wyoming is a public institution located in Laramie, Wyoming. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 68 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UW also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend University of Wyoming is $6,905 for rocky mountains region visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at UW

7

Utah Valley University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Utah Valley University is a large school located in Orem, Utah that handed out 435 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UVU, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Utah Valley University is $7,707 for rocky mountains region visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at UVU

8

Colorado State University - Fort Collins did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. This large school is located in Fort Collins, Colorado, and it awarded 239 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Colorado State also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for Colorado State is $11,924 for rocky mountains region visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Colorado State Visual & Performing Arts Report

9

With a ranking of #9, University of Colorado Boulder did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Boulder, Colorado, this large public school handed out 359 diplomas to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CU - Boulder, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CU - Boulder is $13,141 for rocky mountains region visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Colorado Boulder Visual & Performing Arts Report

10
Northwest Community College crest
Northwest College
Powell, Wyoming

Northwest College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Powell, Wyoming, this small public school awarded 32 degrees to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwest Community College, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $5,530 for rocky mountains region visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwest College.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Northwest College

11
U of I crest
University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho

With a ranking of #11, University of Idaho did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. U of I is located in Moscow, Idaho and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 89 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

U of I did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Idaho is $10,816 for Rocky Mountains Region Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Idaho Visual & Performing Arts Report

12

University of Northern Colorado did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. University of Northern Colorado is located in Greeley, Colorado and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 215 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of Northern Colorado has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $13,150 for rocky mountains region visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Northern Colorado.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at University of Northern Colorado

13

Community College of Aurora did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Community College of Aurora is a public institution located in Aurora, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 58 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CCA also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for CCA is $6,327 for Rocky Mountains Region Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Community College of Aurora

14

Utah State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Logan, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 122 students in 2020-2021.

USU also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend Utah State University is $9,148 for rocky mountains region visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Utah State University Visual & Performing Arts Report

15

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Denver, Colorado, this large public school awarded 290 degrees to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

CU Anschutz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is $10,404 for rocky mountains region visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full CU Anschutz Visual & Performing Arts Report

16

Weber State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Ogden, Utah, this large public school awarded 122 diplomas to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, WSU has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WSU is $9,748 for rocky mountains region visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at WSU

17

Boise State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Boise, Idaho, this large public school awarded 157 diplomas to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Boise State, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Boise State is $12,561 for rocky mountains region visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Boise State Visual & Performing Arts Report

18
UM crest
The University of Montana
Missoula, Montana

The University of Montana came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Montana is a public institution located in Missoula, Montana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 154 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UM also took the #18 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The University of Montana is $12,739 for rocky mountains region visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full The University of Montana Visual & Performing Arts Report

19

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Colorado Springs, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 56 students in 2020-2021.

UCCS also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $11,543 for Rocky Mountains Region Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCCS.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Visual & Performing Arts Report

20
Dixie State College crest
Dixie State University
Saint George, Utah

Dixie State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. This fairly large school is located in Saint George, Utah, and it awarded 82 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Dixie State College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $12,208 for rocky mountains region visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Dixie State College.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Dixie State University

21

With a ranking of #21, Metropolitan State University of Denver did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. MSU Denver is a public institution located in Denver, Colorado. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 140 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

MSU Denver did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for MSU Denver is $11,867 for Rocky Mountains Region Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at MSU Denver

22
Southern Utah University crest
Southern Utah University
Cedar City, Utah

Southern Utah University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Southern Utah University is a fairly large public school situated in Cedar City, Utah. It awarded 118 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Southern Utah University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Utah University is $9,873 for Rocky Mountains Region Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Southern Utah University

23
DU crest
University of Denver
Denver, Colorado

University of Denver landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Denver, Colorado, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 148 diplomas to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at DU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $20,307 for rocky mountains region visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Denver.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at DU

24
MSU Bozeman crest
Montana State University
Bozeman, Montana

With a ranking of #24, Montana State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Bozeman, Montana, and it awarded 136 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

MSU Bozeman did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $15,986 for Rocky Mountains Region Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MSU Bozeman.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full MSU Bozeman Visual & Performing Arts Report

25

Colorado State University - Pueblo came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Pueblo, Colorado is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 30 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,243 for rocky mountains region visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Colorado State University - Pueblo.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Colorado State University - Pueblo

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