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2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k

20 Ranked Colleges
4,508 Degrees Awarded
$10,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina 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 North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

With 149,215 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, visual and performing arts is the 10th most popular major in the United States. 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 North Carolina, there were 4,508 visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $24,820 and $24,919 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 20 colleges that offer a degree in visual and performing arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great visual and performing arts programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the visual and performing arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Visual & Performing Arts Schools

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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 North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for north carolina visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 20 Best Value Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts (Income $0-$30k) in North Carolina

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 72 students in 2020-2021.

Duke did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Duke University is $371 for north carolina visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Duke University Visual & Performing Arts Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 124 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $3,753 for north carolina visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 UNC Chapel Hill

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina School of the Arts. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k. Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 245 students in 2020-2021.

UNCSA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $5,766 for north carolina visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNCSA.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at University of North Carolina School of the Arts

4
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Carolina State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. North Carolina State University is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 125 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

NC State also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $7,283 for north carolina visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NC State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at North Carolina State University

5
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Appalachian State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Boone, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 284 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Appalachian State, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Appalachian State is $7,354 for north carolina 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 86%. 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%.

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

6
Central Piedmont Community College crest
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, North Carolina

Central Piedmont Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Central Piedmont Community College is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 180 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

Central Piedmont Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Central Piedmont Community College is $5,676 for north carolina visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Central Piedmont Community College Visual & Performing Arts Report

7
Wake Technical Community College crest
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina

Wake Technical Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wake Technical Community College is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 757 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Wake Technical Community College also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Wake Technical Community College is $3,886 for North Carolina Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Wake Technical Community College

8

With a ranking of #8, University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Greensboro, North Carolina, and it awarded 347 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Greensboro did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $7,645 for North Carolina Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Full University of North Carolina at Greensboro Visual & Performing Arts Report

9

With a ranking of #9, University of North Carolina at Asheville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNCA is a small school located in Asheville, North Carolina that handed out 105 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UNCA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Asheville is $8,677 for north carolina visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full UNCA Visual & Performing Arts Report

10

With a ranking of #10, University of North Carolina at Charlotte did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNC Charlotte is a large public school situated in Charlotte, North Carolina. It awarded 145 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Charlotte not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Charlotte is $12,751 for north carolina 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full UNC Charlotte Visual & Performing Arts Report

11
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WCU is located in Cullowhee, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 138 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

WCU also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Western Carolina University is $9,305 for North Carolina Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

12

University of North Carolina at Wilmington came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Wilmington, North Carolina, this fairly large public school handed out 159 diplomas to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

UNCW did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $11,710 for North Carolina Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UNCW Visual & Performing Arts Report

13
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

With a ranking of #13, East Carolina University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Greenville, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 195 students in 2020-2021.

ECU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend East Carolina University is $11,260 for North Carolina Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at East Carolina University

14
Guilford Technical Community College crest
Guilford Technical Community College
Jamestown, North Carolina

With a ranking of #14, Guilford Technical Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Guilford Technical Community College is located in Jamestown, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 60 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our north carolina visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Guilford Technical Community College has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Guilford Technical Community College is $10,003 for north carolina visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Guilford Technical Community College

15
NC A&T crest
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, North Carolina

North Carolina A & T State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. North Carolina A & T State University is a fairly large school located in Greensboro, North Carolina that handed out 72 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, NC A&T has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $7,827 for north carolina visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NC A&T.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at North Carolina A & T State University

16

University of North Carolina at Pembroke landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNC Pembroke is a medium-sized public school situated in Pembroke, North Carolina. It awarded 45 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Pembroke also took the #18 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $8,412 for North Carolina Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNC Pembroke.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at University of North Carolina at Pembroke

17
Meredith crest
Meredith College
Raleigh, North Carolina

Meredith College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 43 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Meredith also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $19,426 for north carolina visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Meredith College.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 more about Visual & Performing Arts at Meredith

18
North Carolina Central University crest
North Carolina Central University
Durham, North Carolina

North Carolina Central University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. North Carolina Central University is located in Durham, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Carolina Central University, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $12,249 for north carolina visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Carolina Central University.

Full North Carolina Central University Visual & Performing Arts Report

19
WPU crest
William Peace University
Raleigh, North Carolina

With a ranking of #19, William Peace University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. WPU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

WPU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend William Peace University is $21,506 for north carolina visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at WPU

20
High Point crest
High Point University
High Point, North Carolina

High Point University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in High Point, North Carolina, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 76 degrees to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

High Point not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $31,257 for North Carolina Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend High Point University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full High Point University Visual & Performing Arts Report

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