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2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

101 Ranked Colleges
19,622 Degrees Awarded
$8,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this 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 Great Lakes region, there were 19,622 visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $26,942 and $26,129 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 101 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

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. 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 Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 101 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern University is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 378 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Northwestern has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $917 for great lakes region visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwestern University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, 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 97%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Northwestern Visual & Performing Arts Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 540 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $5,670 for great lakes region visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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 Michigan - Ann Arbor Visual & Performing Arts Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 457 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Madison is $4,788 for Great Lakes Region Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Visual & Performing Arts Report

4

Out of the 101 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #4 spot on the list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 651 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington also took the #8 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $7,061 for great lakes region visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at IU Bloomington

5
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 158 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,853 for great lakes region visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Purdue.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

6

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 353 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $8,036 for great lakes region visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

7

With a ranking of #7, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school awarded 369 degrees to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State University - Main Campus is $8,581 for Great Lakes Region Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Visual & Performing Arts Report

8
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

University of Notre Dame landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, and it awarded 141 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Notre Dame, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Notre Dame is $9,136 for great lakes region visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Notre Dame Visual & Performing Arts Report

9

Madison Area Technical College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Madison Area Technical College is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 94 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Madison College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Madison College is $8,473 for Great Lakes Region Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Madison College

10

Sinclair Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Sinclair Community College is a public institution located in Dayton, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 204 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Sinclair Community College is $4,227 for great lakes region visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Sinclair Community College

11
Oberlin crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, Ohio

Oberlin College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Oberlin, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 174 students in 2020-2021.

Oberlin also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend Oberlin is $13,745 for Great Lakes Region Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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%.

Full Oberlin College Visual & Performing Arts Report

12

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 168 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,216 for Great Lakes Region Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at IUPUI

13
Kenyon crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, Ohio

With a ranking of #13, Kenyon College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Gambier, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 34 degrees to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $18,974 for great lakes region visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Kenyon College.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, 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 89%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Kenyon College

14

University of Wisconsin - Stout landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 173 degrees to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - Stout has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Stout is $10,958 for Great Lakes Region Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 more about Visual & Performing Arts at UW - Stout

15
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Rochester Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 153 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,839 for great lakes region visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Oakland University.

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 Oakland

16

Indiana University - South Bend came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Indiana University - South Bend is located in South Bend, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - South Bend is $6,544 for great lakes region visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Indiana University - South Bend

17
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

With a ranking of #17, Ball State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Muncie, Indiana, and it awarded 232 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Ball State also took the #23 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ball State University is $10,786 for great lakes region visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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%.

Full Ball State University Visual & Performing Arts Report

18

Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cuyahoga Community College District is a fairly large school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 90 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,171 for great lakes region visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cuyahoga Community College District.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Cuyahoga Community College District

19
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, Indiana

Ivy Tech Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 210 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,820 for Great Lakes Region Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ivy Tech Community College.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Ivy Tech Community College

20
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Michigan State is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 380 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State is $15,170 for Great Lakes Region Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, 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 91%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Michigan State

21

With a ranking of #21, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. La Crosse, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is $10,075 for great lakes region visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UW - La Crosse Visual & Performing Arts Report

22

With a ranking of #22, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school awarded 190 degrees to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UIC is $11,351 for great lakes region visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full UIC Visual & Performing Arts Report

23
Western Technical College crest
Western Technical College
La Crosse, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #23, Western Technical College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. La Crosse, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Western Technical College is $7,768 for great lakes region visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Western Technical College

24

With a ranking of #24, Milwaukee Area Technical College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. MATC is a public institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 40 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,079 for great lakes region visual & performing arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Milwaukee Area Technical College.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Milwaukee Area Technical College

25
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. EIU is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 116 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Illinois University is $10,056 for Great Lakes Region Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at EIU

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