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2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region

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

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

With 155,377 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, visual and performing arts is the 10th most popular major in the United States. 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” 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Visual & Performing Arts Schools

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 for an Associate in the Southwest Region”.

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. 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 an Associate in the Southwest Region

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

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

#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Collin County Community College District. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region list. Located in McKinney, Texas, this large public school awarded 90 degrees to qualified associates’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

Collin County Community College District not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $6,293 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students per year to attend Collin County Community College District.

Full Collin County Community College District Visual & Performing Arts Report

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, San Jacinto Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. San Jacinto College is a large public school situated in Pasadena, Texas. It awarded 117 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees 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 per year to attend San Jacinto Community College.

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

#3

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 #3 on our 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region list. Scottsdale Community College is a medium-sized school located in Scottsdale, Arizona that handed out 93 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Scottsdale Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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 per year to attend Scottsdale Community College.

Full Scottsdale Community College Visual & Performing Arts Report

#1 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Austin Community College District landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Austin, Texas, this large public school awarded 279 diplomas to qualified associates’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Austin Community College District, the school also landed 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 per year to attend Austin Community College District.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Austin Community College District

#7 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. Avondale, Arizona is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s visual and performing arts degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

Estrella Mountain Community College also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend Estrella Mountain Community College is $9,200 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Estrella Mountain Community College

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Texas State Technical College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region list. Texas State Technical College is a fairly large school located in Waco, Texas that handed out 52 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

TSTC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $10,114 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Visual & Performing Arts students per year to attend Texas State Technical College.

Full Texas State Technical College Visual & Performing Arts Report

#8 in overall quality

Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region ranking. Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology is a small school located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma that handed out 25 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

OSU Institute of Technology did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for OSU Institute of Technology is $6,500 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology

#8

Pima Community College

Tucson, Arizona
#9 in overall quality

Pima Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region list. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this fairly large public school awarded 95 diplomas to qualified associates’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pima County Community College District, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Pima County Community College District is $3,583 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students.

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

#9

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico
#14 in overall quality

Central New Mexico Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region ranking. Central New Mexico Community College is a large public school situated in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It awarded 43 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students list, CNM has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CNM is $3,429 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Visual & Performing Arts students.

Full CNM Visual & Performing Arts Report

#10

Mesa Community College

Mesa, Arizona
#11 in overall quality

Mesa Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #10. Mesa, Arizona is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s visual and performing arts degrees to 54 students in 2019-2020.

Mesa Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $9,669 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students per year to attend Mesa Community College.

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

#5 in overall quality

University of Central Oklahoma came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region ranking. UCO is located in Edmond, Oklahoma and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 40 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

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 per year to attend UCO.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at University of Central Oklahoma

#12

Phoenix College

Phoenix, Arizona
#15 in overall quality

Phoenix College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region ranking. Phoenix, Arizona is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s visual and performing arts degrees to 49 students in 2019-2020.

Phoenix College also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for Phoenix College is $8,744 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Visual & Performing Arts students.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Phoenix College

#13

Northwest Vista College

San Antonio, Texas
#12 in overall quality

Northwest Vista College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #13. Northwest Vista College is a public institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 20 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students list, Northwest Vista College has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Vista College is $5,413 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Northwest Vista College

#14

San Antonio College

San Antonio, Texas
#13 in overall quality

San Antonio College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Antonio College is $5,882 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Visual & Performing Arts students.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at San Antonio College

#15

South Plains College

Levelland, Texas
#19 in overall quality

South Plains College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region list. South Plains College is a public institution located in Levelland, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 29 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

South Plains College also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $7,600 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students per year to attend South Plains College.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at South Plains College

#16

Kilgore College

Kilgore, Texas
#18 in overall quality

Kilgore College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region list. Located in Kilgore, Texas, this medium-sized public school awarded 15 degrees to qualified associates’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

Kilgore College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $7,593 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Visual & Performing Arts students per year to attend Kilgore College.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Kilgore College

#10 in overall quality

The Art Institute of Dallas ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend The Art Institute of Dallas is $21,605 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at The Art Institute of Dallas

#17 in overall quality

Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region ranking. This small school is located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and it awarded 5 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students list, Institute of American Indian Arts has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $12,607 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Visual & Performing Arts students per year to attend Institute of American Indian Arts.

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 full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development

#16 in overall quality

The Art Institute of Houston landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region ranking. Ai Houston is a private for-profit institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ai Houston, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The Art Institute of Houston is $22,844 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Visual & Performing Arts students.

Full Ai Houston Visual & Performing Arts Report

#20 in overall quality

KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region list. KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts is a small private for-profit school situated in Dallas, Texas. It awarded 45 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at KD Conservatory, the school also landed 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.

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.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at KD Conservatory

#21 in overall quality

Sessions College for Professional Design landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region ranking. This small school is located in Tempe, Arizona, and it awarded 24 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees 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. The yearly cost to attend Sessions College for Professional Design is $12,013 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Visual & Performing Arts students.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Sessions College for Professional Design

#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 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $22,421 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Visual & Performing Arts students per year to attend Ai San Antonio.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Ai San Antonio

#23 in overall quality

The Art Institute of Austin landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region ranking. Ai Austin is located in Austin, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 associates’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students list, Ai Austin has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The Art Institute of Austin is $24,156 for southwest region associate degree visual & performing arts students.

Full The Art Institute of 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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