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

16 Ranked Colleges
3,630 Degrees Awarded
$15,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Virginia 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 Virginia, there were 3,630 visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $26,234 and $25,261 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 16 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Visual & Performing Arts Schools

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More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The visual & performing arts school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

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

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

Top 16 Best Value Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts (Income $0-$30k) in Virginia

1

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, John Tyler Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. This medium-sized school is located in Chester, Virginia, and it awarded 89 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

John Tyler Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend John Tyler Community College is $4,430 for Virginia Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at John Tyler Community College

2
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a large school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 128 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Virginia is $12,476 for Virginia Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at University of Virginia - Main Campus

3
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Virginia Tech. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, and it awarded 172 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Virginia Tech, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $11,934 for Virginia Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Virginia Tech

4
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend James Madison University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. JMU is a public institution located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 278 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

JMU also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $14,288 for Virginia Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend James Madison University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full James Madison University Visual & Performing Arts Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northern Virginia Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k. Northern Virginia Community College is located in Annandale, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 213 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our virginia visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northern Virginia Community College has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $7,515 for virginia visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northern Virginia Community College.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Northern Virginia Community College

6

With a ranking of #6, Tidewater Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, this fairly large public school handed out 111 diplomas to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

Tidewater Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $5,652 for virginia visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Tidewater Community College.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Tidewater Community College

7

Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Virginia Commonwealth University is a large public school situated in Richmond, Virginia. It awarded 627 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, VCU has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $14,507 for virginia visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend VCU.

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%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University

8
Old Dominion crest
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia

Old Dominion University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Norfolk, Virginia, and it awarded 108 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Old Dominion, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $13,335 for Virginia Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Old Dominion University.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Old Dominion University

9
Radford crest
Radford University
Radford, Virginia

Radford University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Radford is a public institution located in Radford, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 136 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Radford has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Radford is $11,420 for Virginia Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Radford University

10
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

George Mason University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and it awarded 342 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, GMU has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for GMU is $14,781 for Virginia Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at GMU

11
UMW crest
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia

University of Mary Washington landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Mary Washington is a public institution located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 62 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMW also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for University of Mary Washington is $14,589 for virginia visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at UMW

12
Regent crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Regent University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Regent is a private not-for-profit institution located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 90 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Regent also took the #11 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Regent is $20,479 for Virginia Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Regent University

13
CNU crest
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, Virginia

Christopher Newport University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. CNU is located in Newport News, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 53 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

CNU also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $15,862 for virginia visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CNU.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 CNU

14
Marymount crest
Marymount University
Arlington, Virginia

Marymount University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Marymount University is located in Arlington, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 65 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Marymount, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $21,228 for virginia visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Marymount University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Marymount

15
Shenandoah crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, Virginia

Shenandoah University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Shenandoah University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Winchester, Virginia. It awarded 126 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Shenandoah not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Shenandoah University is $27,173 for Virginia Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Shenandoah

16
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 434 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Liberty University, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Liberty University is $29,786 for virginia visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Liberty University

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