If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in visual & performing arts, no school beat San Diego Miramar College this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Skyline College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Moorpark College came in at #3 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. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes San Diego Mesa College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. 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. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $6,999. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Canada College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $15,000. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $106,691. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College placed #7 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Irvine Valley College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
College Of The Canyons placed #9 among the best values for visual & performing arts. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,776. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
West Valley College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #12 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #13 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,384. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College came in at #14 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College came in at #15 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. 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.
Saddleback College earned the #16 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College placed #17 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College earned the #18 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College came in at #19 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $26,218. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Ventura College earned the #20 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Reedley College earned the #21 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $6,500. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College landed the #22 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College placed #23 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College landed the #24 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Imperial Valley College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s visual & performing arts value ranking:
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 · 217 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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.
