[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 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.
For return on investment in visual & performing arts, no school beat Washtenaw Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Schoolcraft College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Students borrow a median of $15,677 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $46,283. That is a strong return on a $15,677 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Muskegon Community College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,250, compared with $16,010 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,928 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Muskegon Community College earn a median of $48,267 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #4 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $19,075. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $19,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Lansing Community College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,700. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delta College landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Students borrow a median of $14,075 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $37,342. Set against $14,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland Community College placed #7 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $15,865. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Michigan College landed the #8 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,417 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,394. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,575. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $43,153. That is a strong return on a $16,575 median debt.
Ferris State University landed the #9 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,918 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $30,766 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,918 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Grand Rapids Community College placed #10 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,179, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,780 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $41,689. That is a strong return on a $11,780 median debt.
University Of Michigan Flint earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $30,695 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $18,339. That is a strong return on a $30,695 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University placed #12 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,239 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $25,533. That is a strong return on a $27,239 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #13 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,671 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $29,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #14 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,125 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $27,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,125 median debt. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Wayne State University earned the #15 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $27,279 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $28,152. Set against $27,279 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Northern Michigan University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $23,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Western Michigan University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,346 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $27,387. Set against $27,346 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,323. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $32,620. Set against $27,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $28,258 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $27,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,258 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Central Michigan University came in at #20 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $28,810. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $27,620 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Kalamazoo College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $60,900. Students borrow a median of $26,118 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Kalamazoo College generally make around $37,374. Set against $26,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kalamazoo College admits about 75% of applicants.
Michigan State University earned the #22 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,185. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $37,076 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Cornerstone University earned the #23 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $23,000. Students borrow a median of $29,243 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cornerstone University generally make around $44,501. That is a strong return on a $29,243 median debt. Cornerstone University admits about 78% of applicants.
Calvin College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,350. Students borrow a median of $20,928 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $15,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Adrian College placed #25 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Adrian. In-state tuition and fees average $41,684. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $28,071. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $43,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in visual & performing arts:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
