Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earned the #1 spot for value among visual & performing arts schools in Washington. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $60,000. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clover Park Technical College earned it the #2 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seattle Community College Central Campus earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,085 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Seattle Community College Central Campus earn a median of $29,775 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,085 median debt.
Spokane Falls Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,657. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $21,508. Set against $14,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Seattle Community College North Campus one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,238, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Students borrow a median of $16,643 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Seattle Community College North Campus generally make around $48,739. That is a strong return on a $16,643 median debt.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,667. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $65,932. That is a strong return on a $13,667 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Shoreline Community College came in at #7 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,115, with out-of-state students paying around $7,905. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $17,644. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Shoreline Community College earn a median of $62,009 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,644 median debt.
Highline Community College placed #8 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $8,958. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Highline Community College earn a median of $55,459 early in their careers. Set against $8,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bellevue College placed #9 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Bellevue College is a large public school located in the city of Bellevue. Students from in state pay about $4,436 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Students borrow a median of $33,660 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $45,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $13,915 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $29,682. That is a strong return on a $13,915 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Eastern Washington University earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Students borrow a median of $19,060 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $25,090. Set against $19,060 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $24,066 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $44,823 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Central Washington University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $25,346. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $40,515. That is a strong return on a $25,346 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Western Washington University earned the #14 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $20,423. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $23,319. Set against $20,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
Pacific Lutheran University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $50,916. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $25,723. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Pacific Lutheran University generally make around $21,435. That is a strong return on a $25,723 median debt. Pacific Lutheran University admits about 78% of applicants.
The Evergreen State College placed #16 among the best values for visual & performing arts. The Evergreen State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Olympia. In-state tuition and fees average $9,264, while out-of-state students pay about $31,905. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $21,850 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of The Evergreen State College earn a median of $26,942 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Seattle Pacific University placed #17 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,407 in tuition and fees. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $38,026. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Walla Walla University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Walla Walla University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of College Place. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,227. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $28,436. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seattle University came in at #19 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,721. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,950 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $35,150 early in their careers. Set against $23,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Seattle University admits about 77% of applicants.
Northwest College Of Art And Design ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Tacoma, Northwest College Of Art And Design is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $30,750. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest College Of Art And Design admits about 66% of applicants.
Whitman College placed #21 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Walla Walla, Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,050. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $17,518. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Whitman College generally make around $32,345. That is a strong return on a $17,518 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puget Sound came in at #22 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,898 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,758 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Puget Sound generally make around $26,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Cornish College Of The Arts came in at #23 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Cornish College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,684 in tuition and fees. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $18,434. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornish College Of The Arts admits about 62% of applicants.
Seattle Film Institute came in at #24 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Film Institute is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,000. Students borrow a median of $21,664 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Seattle Film Institute earn a median of $24,237 early in their careers.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
