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2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

18 Ranked Colleges
916 Degrees Awarded
$24,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master's in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

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 for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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 Illinois, there were 5,876 visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $24,817 and $32,020 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 916 visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,267 and $46,814 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 18 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Visual & Performing Arts Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our 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 for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois master’s degree visual & performing arts students with aid.

Top 18 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts in Illinois (With Aid)

#1

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Eastern Illinois University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. EIU is a medium-sized school located in Charleston, Illinois that handed out 50 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at EIU are $20,761, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Eastern Illinois University

#2 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 82 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

UIUC also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Chicago. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school handed out 26 diplomas to qualified masters’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree visual & performing arts students with aid list, UIC has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at UIC

#14 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #4 spot on the list. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s visual and performing arts degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

SIUE did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at SIUE

#16 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Northeastern Illinois University landed the #5 spot on the list. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 6 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Northeastern Illinois University also took the #16 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Visual & Performing Arts Report

#6

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 40 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree visual & performing arts students with aid list, NIU has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at NIU

#7

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Western Illinois University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. WIU is a medium-sized public school situated in Macomb, Illinois. It awarded 19 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Illinois University are $11,996, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at WIU

#15 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 17 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree visual & performing arts students with aid list, SIUC has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Visual & Performing Arts Report

#9

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, North Park University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. North Park University is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 4 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

North Park did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Park are $14,076, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at North Park

#10

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Illinois State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 50 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069.

Full Illinois State University Visual & Performing Arts Report

#11

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Northwestern University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Northwestern University is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 149 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #1 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Northwestern University

#5 in overall quality

Illinois Institute of Technology landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 8 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois Tech also took the #5 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois Tech are $30,695.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Illinois Tech

#13

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

Bradley University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Bradley University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Peoria, Illinois. It awarded 6 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Bradley also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bradley are $17,040, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Bradley

#14

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

Roosevelt University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s visual and performing arts degrees to 40 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Roosevelt, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Roosevelt University are $21,605.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Roosevelt

#15

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

Columbia College Chicago came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s visual and performing arts degrees to 71 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree visual & performing arts students with aid list, Columbia has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia College Chicago are $2,350.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Columbia College Chicago

#16

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

University of Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 3 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at University of Chicago

#17

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, DePaul University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. DePaul University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 117 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

DePaul did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul are $19,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at DePaul

#6 in overall quality

School of the Art Institute of Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s visual and performing arts degrees to 201 students in 2019-2020.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at School of the Art Institute of Chicago are $43,912, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at School of the Art Institute of Chicago

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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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