[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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual & performing arts students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Milwaukee Area Technical College the best value for a degree in visual & performing arts in Wisconsin. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $27,795. Set against $18,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Moraine Park Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,819, while out-of-state students pay about $7,084. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,471 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Moraine Park Technical College generally make around $21,388. Set against $11,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Western Technical College La Cross, which ranked #3. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,057. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $23,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, which ranked #4. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Students from in state pay about $4,960 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,016 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,997 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Waukesha County Technical College earned it the #5 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $15,554. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $39,095. Set against $15,554 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College earned the #6 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Students borrow a median of $16,582 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $32,673. That is a strong return on a $16,582 median debt.
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $45,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Technical College came in at #8 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $7,199. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $29,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside placed #9 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $26,823 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay placed #10 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Students borrow a median of $18,186 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $32,991 early in their careers. Set against $18,186 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Madison Area Technical College came in at #11 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $30,710 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Students borrow a median of $27,052 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $29,198 early in their careers. Set against $27,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #13 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $30,084 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls generally make around $28,801. That is a strong return on a $30,084 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $38,585 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #15 for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $25,180. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $32,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Carroll University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,890. Students borrow a median of $26,904 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Carroll University generally make around $52,404. Set against $26,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #17 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,589 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $29,947. That is a strong return on a $26,589 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #18 for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,644, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Students borrow a median of $23,677 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $37,379. Set against $23,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #19 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,896 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $35,363 early in their careers. Set against $19,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #20 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Students borrow a median of $26,170 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $40,376 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,170 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #21 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $19,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #22 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,090 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $39,275 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Viterbo University landed the #23 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,250. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,906. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $19,930. Set against $26,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Lawrence University came in at #24 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Appleton, Lawrence University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,982. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $19,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,789 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design placed #25 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $43,743. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design earn a median of $26,619 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design admits about 60% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s visual & performing arts value ranking:
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
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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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
