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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts in the Southwest Region (With Aid)

23 Ranked Colleges
2,338 Degrees Awarded
$11,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 155,377 visual and performing arts students received their degree, making the major the 10th most popular in the country. 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 the Southwest region, there were 18,742 visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $26,041 and $26,133 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 2,338 visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,605 and $16,886 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 23 colleges that offered 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 23 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts in the Southwest Region (With Aid)

#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Austin Community College District. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid. Located in Austin, Texas, this large public school handed out 279 diplomas to qualified associates’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

Austin Community College District also took the #1 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $6,861 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Visual & Performing Arts students with aid per year to attend Austin Community College District.

Full Austin Community College District Visual & Performing Arts Report

#2 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Collin County Community College District landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in McKinney, Texas, this large public school awarded 90 degrees to qualified associates’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students with aid list, Collin County Community College District has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Collin County Community College District is $6,293 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students with aid.

Full Collin County Community College District Visual & Performing Arts Report

#3

Pima Community College

Tucson, Arizona
#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pima Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 95 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students with aid list, Pima County Community College District has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $3,583 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students with aid per year to attend Pima Community College.

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

#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Jacinto Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Pasadena, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s visual and performing arts degrees to 117 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jacinto College, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $8,692 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students with aid per year to attend San Jacinto College.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at San Jacinto Community College

#5

Scottsdale Community College

Scottsdale, Arizona
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Scottsdale Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Scottsdale Community College is located in Scottsdale, Arizona and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 93 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

Scottsdale Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $10,397 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Visual & Performing Arts students with aid per year to attend Scottsdale Community College.

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

#8 in overall quality

Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, and it awarded 25 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

OSU Institute of Technology also took the #8 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $6,500 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Visual & Performing Arts students with aid per year to attend OSU Institute of Technology.

Full OSU Institute of Technology Visual & Performing Arts Report

#7

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico
#14 in overall quality

Central New Mexico Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. CNM is a public institution located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The school has a large population, and it awarded 43 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CNM also took the #14 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $3,429 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students with aid per year to attend CNM.

Full Central New Mexico Community College Visual & Performing Arts Report

#7 in overall quality

Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Avondale, Arizona, and it awarded 9 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students with aid list, Estrella Mountain Community College has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Estrella Mountain Community College is $9,200 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Visual & Performing Arts students with aid.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Estrella Mountain Community College

#9

Northwest Vista College

San Antonio, Texas
#12 in overall quality

Northwest Vista College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and it awarded 20 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwest Vista College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $5,413 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students with aid per year to attend Northwest Vista College.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Northwest Vista College

#10

San Antonio College

San Antonio, Texas
#13 in overall quality

San Antonio College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Antonio College is a fairly large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 35 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

San Antonio College also took the #13 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Antonio College is $5,882 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students with aid.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at San Antonio College

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Texas State Technical College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. TSTC is a fairly large school located in Waco, Texas that handed out 52 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at TSTC, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for TSTC is $10,114 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students with aid.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Texas State Technical College

#12

Mesa Community College

Mesa, Arizona
#11 in overall quality

Mesa Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Mesa Community College is located in Mesa, Arizona and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 54 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

Mesa Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Mesa Community College is $9,669 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Visual & Performing Arts students with aid.

Full Mesa Community College Visual & Performing Arts Report

#13

Phoenix College

Phoenix, Arizona
#15 in overall quality

Phoenix College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Phoenix College is a public institution located in Phoenix, Arizona. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 49 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Phoenix College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $8,744 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students with aid per year to attend Phoenix College.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Phoenix College

#14

Kilgore College

Kilgore, Texas
#18 in overall quality

Kilgore College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Kilgore College is a medium-sized school located in Kilgore, Texas that handed out 15 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kilgore College, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kilgore College is $7,593 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students with aid.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Kilgore College

#15

South Plains College

Levelland, Texas
#19 in overall quality

South Plains College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. South Plains College is a medium-sized public school situated in Levelland, Texas. It awarded 29 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

South Plains College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend South Plains College is $7,600 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Visual & Performing Arts students with aid.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at South Plains College

#5 in overall quality

University of Central Oklahoma did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. University of Central Oklahoma is a public institution located in Edmond, Oklahoma. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 40 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCO did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $16,562 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students with aid per year to attend UCO.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at UCO

#17 in overall quality

Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Institute of American Indian Arts is a small public school situated in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It awarded 5 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Institute of American Indian Arts did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Institute of American Indian Arts is $12,607 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students with aid.

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

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Institute of American Indian Arts

#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Sessions College for Professional Design did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this small private for-profit school handed out 24 degrees to qualified associates’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sessions College, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $12,013 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Visual & Performing Arts students with aid per year to attend Sessions College.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Sessions College for Professional Design

#16 in overall quality

The Art Institute of Houston did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Houston, Texas, this small private for-profit school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified associates’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

Ai Houston did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend The Art Institute of Houston is $22,844 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Visual & Performing Arts students with aid.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at The Art Institute of Houston

#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, The Art Institute of Dallas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. The Art Institute of Dallas is located in Dallas, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

The Art Institute of Dallas did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for The Art Institute of Dallas is $21,605 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students with aid.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at The Art Institute of Dallas

#20 in overall quality

KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. KD Conservatory is a small school located in Dallas, Texas that handed out 45 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

KD Conservatory also took the #20 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts is $21,528 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students with aid.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts Visual & Performing Arts Report

#22

The Art Institute of San Antonio

San Antonio, Texas
#22 in overall quality

The Art Institute of San Antonio landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. The Art Institute of San Antonio is a small school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 8 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Ai San Antonio did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for The Art Institute of San Antonio is $22,421 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Visual & Performing Arts students with aid.

Full The Art Institute of San Antonio Visual & Performing Arts Report

#23 in overall quality

The Art Institute of Austin came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Ai Austin is a small school located in Austin, Texas that handed out 4 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Ai Austin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Ai Austin is $24,156 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Visual & Performing Arts students with aid.

Full Ai Austin 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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