[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual & performing arts students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Honolulu Community College, our #1 best value for visual & performing arts in Hawaii. Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Honolulu. In-state tuition and fees average $3,174, while out-of-state students pay about $8,310. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Honolulu Community College generally make around $59,006. Set against $10,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Windward Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Kaneohe, Windward Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,194, while out-of-state students pay about $8,330. Students borrow a median of $10,930 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Windward Community College generally make around $32,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $22,411. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $17,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Hawaii is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Laie, Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Brigham Young University Hawaii earn a median of $41,461 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 47%.
A rank of #5 makes Hawaii Pacific University one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Hawaii Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Honolulu. In-state tuition and fees average $34,392. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,385 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $49,182. That is a strong return on a $25,385 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
