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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts

835 Ranked Colleges
96,991 Degrees Awarded
$14,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor's

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 for a Bachelor’s” ranking - to help you make that 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.

At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 96,991 visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,303 and $24,501 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s” ranking looked at 835 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts

Top 20% in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Provo. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s list. Brigham Young University - Provo is located in Provo, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 353 bachelors’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on this list, BYU is in the top on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Brigham Young University - Provo is $13,322 for bachelor’s degree visual & performing arts students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at BYU

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s list. BYU - I is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rexburg, Idaho. The school has a large population, and it awarded 255 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for BYU - I is $7,167 for Bachelor’s Degree Visual & Performing Arts students.

The low student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 more about Visual & Performing Arts at BYU - I

Top 25% in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend West Texas A&M University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s list. This fairly large school is located in Canyon, Texas, and it awarded 95 bachelors’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend West Texas A&M University is $12,761 for bachelor’s degree visual & performing arts students.

Full West Texas A&M University Visual & Performing Arts Report

Top 15% in overall quality

Out of the 835 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s that were part of this year’s ranking, North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 44 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, North Dakota State University also did well on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. It costs about $16,584 for bachelor’s degree visual & performing arts students per year to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus.

The low student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 North Dakota State University

#5

Truman State University

Kirksville, Missouri
Top 15% in overall quality

Out of the 835 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Truman State University landed the #5 spot on the list. This small school is located in Kirksville, Missouri, and it awarded 63 bachelors’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Truman State also claimed a top spot on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Truman State University is $12,462 for bachelor’s degree visual & performing arts students.

The low student loan default rate of 3.5% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Full Truman State Visual & Performing Arts Report

#6

University of Wisconsin - Stout

Menomonie, Wisconsin
Top 15% in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Wisconsin - Stout did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s list. Located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 194 degrees to qualified bachelors’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

UW - Stout also claimed a top spot on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Stout is $15,839 for bachelor’s degree visual & performing arts students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Wisconsin - Stout Visual & Performing Arts Report

Top 15% in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking. This fairly large school is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and it awarded 48 bachelors’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, UW - La Crosse is in the top on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend UW - La Crosse is $14,580 for bachelor’s degree visual & performing arts students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, 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 students.

Full University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Visual & Performing Arts Report

#8

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
Top 25% in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of South Dakota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s list. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s visual and performing arts degrees to 37 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend University of South Dakota is $18,555 for bachelor’s degree visual & performing arts students.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 South Dakota Visual & Performing Arts Report

#9

Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking. Bellevue University is located in Bellevue, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 82 bachelors’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Bellevue University is $15,616 for bachelor’s degree visual & performing arts students.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Bellevue University

#10

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Top 15% in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #10. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is a public institution located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 98 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Eau Claire also claimed a top spot on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $16,020 for bachelor’s degree visual & performing arts students.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

#11

University of Wisconsin - Platteville

Platteville, Wisconsin
Top 20% in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of Wisconsin - Platteville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s list. University of Wisconsin - Platteville is a public institution located in Platteville, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 12 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Platteville excels when it comes to visual and performing arts quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. It costs about $15,718 for bachelor’s degree visual & performing arts students per year to attend UW - Platteville.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at UW - Platteville

#12

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota
Top 20% in overall quality

Winona State University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking. Winona State is a medium-sized school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 19 bachelors’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Winona State excels when it comes to visual and performing arts quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State is $17,656 for Bachelor’s Degree Visual & Performing Arts students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Winona State

With a ranking of #13, Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s list. Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music is located in San Juan, and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 35 bachelors’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music is $5,733 for bachelor’s degree visual & performing arts students.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music Visual & Performing Arts Report

#14

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

Whitewater, Wisconsin
Top 20% in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is a fairly large school located in Whitewater, Wisconsin that handed out 114 bachelors’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, UW - Whitewater also did well on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. It costs about $15,249 for Bachelor’s Degree Visual & Performing Arts students per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at UW - Whitewater

#15

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Top 20% in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s list. SRU is a medium-sized public school situated in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. It awarded 58 bachelors’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, SRU is in the top on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is $19,926 for bachelor’s degree visual & performing arts students.

Full Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Visual & Performing Arts Report

With a ranking of #16, Southwest Minnesota State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s list. Marshall, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s visual and performing arts degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Southwest Minnesota State University is $14,397 for bachelor’s degree visual & performing arts students.

Full Southwest Minnesota State University Visual & Performing Arts Report

#17

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s list. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 40 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $19,252 for Bachelor’s Degree Visual & Performing Arts students per year to attend South Dakota State University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at South Dakota State University

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #18. SIUE is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 72 bachelors’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $14,423 for bachelor’s degree visual & performing arts students.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Top 20% in overall quality

University of Nebraska at Kearney ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s list. UNK is a public institution located in Kearney, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 44 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNK also claimed a top spot on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Kearney is $16,017 for bachelor’s degree visual & performing arts students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at UNK

#20

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s list. Located in Bemidji, Minnesota, this small public school handed out 24 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Bemidji State University is $15,868 for bachelor’s degree visual & performing arts students.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Bemidji State University

#21

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona

Arizona State University - Skysong came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking. Scottsdale, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s visual and performing arts degrees to 102 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for ASU - Skysong is $13,971 for Bachelor’s Degree Visual & Performing Arts students.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Arizona State University - Skysong

#22

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Stevens Point, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #22, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s list. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is a medium-sized public school situated in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. It awarded 148 bachelors’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $14,465 for Bachelor’s Degree Visual & Performing Arts students.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at UW - Stevens Point

#23

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, North Carolina

With a ranking of #23, Western Carolina University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s list. WCU is a public institution located in Cullowhee, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 117 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $13,722 for Bachelor’s Degree Visual & Performing Arts students per year to attend Western Carolina University.

Full Western Carolina University Visual & Performing Arts Report

#24

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s list. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 72 bachelors’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for WIU is $16,210 for Bachelor’s Degree Visual & Performing Arts students.

Full WIU Visual & Performing Arts Report

#25

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking. Located in Charleston, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 42 degrees to qualified bachelors’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $14,607 for bachelor’s degree visual & performing arts students per year to attend Eastern Illinois University.

Full Eastern Illinois University Visual & Performing Arts Report

Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#27

University of Wisconsin - River Falls

River Falls, Wisconsin
#29

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

Edinboro, Pennsylvania
#31

Northern State University

Aberdeen, South Dakota
#32

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, New Hampshire
#33

Goddard College

Plainfield, Vermont
#34

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#35

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

Green Bay, Wisconsin
#39

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#43

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan
#44

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#45

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#47

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan
#49

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas
#50

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s

While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

Rank College Location
51 University of Houston Houston, TX
52 University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR
53 University of Minnesota - Morris Morris, MN
54 University of Wyoming Laramie, WY
55 Westfield State University Westfield, MA
56 The University of Tennessee - Martin Martin, TN
57 Hunter College New York, NY
57 The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX
59 Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, MA
60 Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg, PA
61 Tarleton State University Stephenville, TX
62 Henderson State University Arkadelphia, AR
63 Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PA
64 Nicholls State University Thibodaux, LA
65 California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA
Rank College Location
66 Wilmington University New Castle, DE
66 California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA
68 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL
69 SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, NY
70 Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MN
71 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX
72 Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH
73 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA
74 Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO
75 Bellevue College Bellevue, WA
76 Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX
77 University of South Alabama Mobile, AL
78 Fashion Institute of Technology New York, NY
79 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
80 University of North Carolina School of the Arts Winston-Salem, NC
81 Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL
82 Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN
83 SUNY Fredonia Fredonia, NY
84 Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, NC
85 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA
86 Arkansas State University - Main Campus Jonesboro, AR
86 McNeese State University Lake Charles, LA
88 University of Southern Indiana Evansville, IN
89 The College at Brockport Brockport, NY
90 University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK
Rank College Location
91 Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MO
92 University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
93 Texas Woman’s University Denton, TX
94 Florida International University Miami, FL
95 Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MO
96 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA
97 Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL
97 Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MO
99 Harding University Searcy, AR
100 University of South Florida - Main Campus Tampa, FL
101 Park University Parkville, MO
102 Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX
103 Texas State University San Marcos, TX
104 Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus Portales, NM
105 Mansfield University of Pennsylvania Mansfield, PA
106 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
107 University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MO
108 University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Chickasha, OK
109 Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, LA
110 West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA
111 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ
112 San Jose State University San Jose, CA
113 Lake Washington Institute of Technology Kirkland, WA
114 University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL
115 University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, AL
Rank College Location
116 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
117 Louisiana Tech University Ruston, LA
118 University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE
119 California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA
120 The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJ
121 Mississippi University for Women Columbus, MS
122 California University of Pennsylvania California, PA
123 SUNY New Paltz New Paltz, NY
123 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI
125 University of West Georgia Carrollton, GA
126 University of New Orleans New Orleans, LA

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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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