[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.
College Factual analyzed 42 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value visual & performing arts schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Cuyahoga Community College District tops our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools in Ohio. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Students borrow a median of $11,795 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $22,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lorain County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
Sinclair Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $24,490. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned it the #4 place for visual & performing arts. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,730 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $47,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Stark State College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $42,724. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lakeland Community College placed #7 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirtland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,872, while out-of-state students pay about $9,235. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,857 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Lakeland Community College generally make around $51,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owens Community College placed #8 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,870 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,383 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $45,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,383 median debt.
Youngstown State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $30,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Tuscarawas came in at #10 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $8,211, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. Students borrow a median of $23,569 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $36,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Zane State College came in at #11 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Zane State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Zanesville. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,766. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,405 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Zane State College generally make around $35,764. Set against $9,405 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kent State University At Stark placed #12 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Kent State University At Stark is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Students borrow a median of $28,185 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Kent State University At Stark earn a median of $24,053 early in their careers. Set against $28,185 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #13 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $33,896. Set against $25,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,230. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $32,943. Set against $26,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College placed #15 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,904. Students borrow a median of $19,408 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earn a median of $42,936 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,408 median debt.
Cleveland State University placed #16 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $28,312 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $28,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo came in at #17 for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Students borrow a median of $26,736 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $21,446. That is a strong return on a $26,736 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,808 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $20,907 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Otterbein University earned the #19 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,548. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,822 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $12,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #20 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,474 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $29,082. Set against $27,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio Wesleyan University came in at #21 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Ohio Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Delaware. In-state tuition and fees average $54,248. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,868. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Ohio Wesleyan University earn a median of $22,239 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio Wesleyan University admits about 56% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,963 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $30,466. Set against $25,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Capital University placed #23 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $43,234. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Capital University earn a median of $33,143 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Capital University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Mount Union placed #24 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the town of Alliance, University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,600. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,988. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Mount Union earn a median of $52,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. University Of Mount Union admits about 78% of applicants.
The College Of Wooster earned the #25 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,640. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,936 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of The College Of Wooster earn a median of $32,382 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The College Of Wooster admits about 60% of applicants.
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. 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
