Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #1 spot for value among visual & performing arts schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moorpark College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #5 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $12,949 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $25,920. That is a strong return on a $12,949 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Oxnard College came in at #6 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Cerritos College placed #7 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $11,306. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College landed the #8 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $6,672. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College placed #9 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College landed the #11 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,308. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College placed #12 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College placed #13 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College placed #14 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Fresno City College came in at #17 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Moreno Valley College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,643. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
Pasadena City College came in at #19 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton landed the #20 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $18,772 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $35,269. That is a strong return on a $18,772 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Santa Monica College earned the #21 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Santiago Canyon College placed #22 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College came in at #23 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles placed #24 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,109 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $22,955. That is a strong return on a $14,109 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
San Diego City College earned the #25 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,514. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in visual & performing arts:
Narrow Visual & Performing Arts Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 309 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 78 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
