Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Mt Hood Community College earned the #1 spot for value among visual & performing arts schools in Oregon. Located in the suburb of Gresham, Mt Hood Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $9,819. Students borrow a median of $18,767 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Mt Hood Community College earn a median of $53,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,767 median debt.
Chemeketa Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Chemeketa Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,345, compared with $14,040 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,755 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Chemeketa Community College generally make around $45,440. That is a strong return on a $15,755 median debt.
Lane Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Eugene, Lane Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,202, compared with $13,078 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $18,373. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $60,759. That is a strong return on a $18,373 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Portland Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,440. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,512 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Portland Community College generally make around $26,285. Set against $17,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rogue Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Grants Pass, Rogue Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,256, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Students borrow a median of $15,248 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $51,243. That is a strong return on a $15,248 median debt.
Portland State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $31,421 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $24,009. Set against $31,421 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Western Oregon University came in at #7 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Monmouth, Western Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,514, with out-of-state students paying around $32,169. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,625. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Western Oregon University generally make around $31,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Southern Oregon University landed the #8 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,887. Students borrow a median of $21,838 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $20,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Oregon State University placed #9 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $20,273. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $33,079. That is a strong return on a $20,273 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oregon placed #10 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $23,194. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $23,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.
George Fox University placed #11 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,320. Students borrow a median of $25,694 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $30,854 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Lewis And Clark College placed #12 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Portland, Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,828. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $43,381. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Reed College placed #13 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Reed College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $69,350 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $21,137. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Reed College earn a median of $30,588 early in their careers. Set against $21,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 25%.
Pacific Northwest College Of Art came in at #14 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Portland, Pacific Northwest College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,006. Students borrow a median of $26,962 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Pacific Northwest College Of Art generally make around $24,222. Set against $26,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pacific Northwest College Of Art admits about 75% of applicants.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
